Two crew members, including a British national, are in need of urgent medical attention aboard a cruise ship where a hantavirus outbreak is suspected. The MV Hondius cruise ship, anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, has reported three fatalities and a British man fighting for his life due to the illness.
Hantavirus, a lethal disease transmitted through exposure to contaminated rodent excretions, has affected individuals on the ship, leading to critical health conditions among the crew members. The cruise operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, disclosed that 23 British citizens, comprising both passengers and crew, are on board the vessel.
The operator indicated that two crew members, one British and the other Dutch, are currently experiencing respiratory issues, necessitating immediate medical intervention. With no additional symptomatic individuals identified, the ship remains anchored off Cape Verde awaiting approval from local health authorities for passenger disembarkation.
The deceased include a Dutch couple and a German national, while the only confirmed hantavirus case is the British man, currently receiving intensive care in Johannesburg. Oceanwide Expeditions is collaborating with various health authorities and considering options for potential medical transfers and further screenings in Las Palmas or Tenerife.
Stringent safety measures, including isolation protocols and continuous medical surveillance, are being enforced on board to prevent further spread of the disease. Passengers have been briefed on the situation and are receiving necessary support from the company and relevant authorities.
