Health authorities have evacuated three people suspected of being infected with hantavirus from a cruise ship anchored off Cape Verde as concerns grow over the rare rodent-borne disease.
According to the World Health Organisation director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the patients were airlifted from the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius and are being transported to the Netherlands for medical treatment.
Despite the alert, Tedros stressed that “the overall public health risk remains low”.
The MV Hondius has been under international scrutiny since Saturday after the WHO was informed that three passengers had died, with hantavirus suspected as the cause. The expedition cruise ship departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 for a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean and has remained anchored off Cape Verde since Sunday.
The vessel reportedly carried 88 passengers and 59 crew members representing 23 nationalities.
So far, three hantavirus infections have been officially confirmed, including one fatality, while five additional cases remain under investigation.
Wednesday’s evacuation involved two crew members and another individual believed to have contracted the virus. The WHO coordinated the operation with the Dutch cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions and authorities from Cape Verde, Britain, and the Netherlands.
Tedros said health officials are continuing to closely monitor both passengers and crew aboard the ship, while follow-up measures have also begun for travellers who already disembarked during the voyage.
Hantavirus is a rare disease usually spread through contact with infected rodents, particularly via their urine, saliva or droppings. Symptoms can initially resemble the flu but may become severe in some cases.
Health authorities have not yet confirmed how the infections may have occurred aboard the vessel, and investigations are ongoing.
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