Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak: WHO Says 3 Suspected Patients to Evacuate via Cape Verde
A Hantavirus outbreak occurred on the cruise ship MV Hondius off Cape Verde, resulting in three passenger deaths. The World Health Organization is assisting in the evacuation of three suspected infected patients from the ship, after which the vessel will continue its voyage to the Canary Islands or the Netherlands. This incident has drawn international public health attention.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 05:37
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Praia, Cape Verde, May 5, comprehensive foreign news report) The World Health Organization (WHO) told Agence France-Presse today that three suspected patients on a cruise ship anchored off Cape Verde, where a hantavirus outbreak occurred, will soon be evacuated via the West African island nation.
Ann Lindstrand, WHO Representative in Cape Verde, pointed out to Agence France-Presse that once two patients showing symptoms of Hantavirus and one asymptomatic close contact are successfully evacuated, the "MV Hondius" will "be able to continue its voyage," possibly heading to the Canary Islands in Spain or the Netherlands.
Since May 2, the "MV Hondius" has been the focus of international public health concern due to a suspected hantavirus outbreak that resulted in the deaths of three passengers on board. Hantavirus is a rare but severe and potentially fatal disease, primarily transmitted through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents.
Lindstrand stated that ambulances will transport the three suspected infected patients from Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, to a nearby airport, after which they will be evacuated by plane.
Lindstrand said that the situation "changes every hour," but after completing this "complex operation," "as far as I know, the vessel will be able to depart sometime in the middle of the night."
She said, "The preliminary plan is for the vessel to depart from here and head to the port of Tenerife in the Canary Islands," but the Dutch-operated cruise ship could eventually return to the Netherlands.
Lindstrand stated: "There have been discussions all day today that the ship might be sent directly to the Netherlands. So we are still waiting for news, but in any case, we feel that the destination will be either the Canary Islands or the Netherlands." (Translated by: Chang Hsia-wen) 1150506
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(Central News Agency Praia, Cape Verde, May 5, comprehensive foreign news report) The World Health Organization (WHO) told Agence France-Presse today that three suspected patients on a cruise ship anchored off Cape Verde, where a hantavirus outbreak occurred, will soon be evacuated via the West African island nation.
Ann Lindstrand, WHO Representative in Cape Verde, pointed out to Agence France-Presse that once two patients showing symptoms of Hantavirus and one asymptomatic close contact are successfully evacuated, the "MV Hondius" will "be able to continue its voyage," possibly heading to the Canary Islands in Spain or the Netherlands.
Since May 2, the "MV Hondius" has been the focus of international public health concern due to a suspected hantavirus outbreak that resulted in the deaths of three passengers on board. Hantavirus is a rare but severe and potentially fatal disease, primarily transmitted through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents.
Lindstrand stated that ambulances will transport the three suspected infected patients from Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, to a nearby airport, after which they will be evacuated by plane.
Lindstrand said that the situation "changes every hour," but after completing this "complex operation," "as far as I know, the vessel will be able to depart sometime in the middle of the night."
She said, "The preliminary plan is for the vessel to depart from here and head to the port of Tenerife in the Canary Islands," but the Dutch-operated cruise ship could eventually return to the Netherlands.
Lindstrand stated: "There have been discussions all day today that the ship might be sent directly to the Netherlands. So we are still waiting for news, but in any case, we feel that the destination will be either the Canary Islands or the Netherlands." (Translated by: Chang Hsia-wen) 1150506
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a power to protect press freedom
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.