Hantavirus Cruise Ship Leaves Cape Verde After Evacuations

A cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak has left Cape Verde and is now heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands after remaining anchored for three days. The ship operator confirmed that two critically ill passengers reached the Netherlands for treatment, while a third passenger in stable condition remained on a delayed evacuation flight. Authorities continue monitoring the situation closely as the vessel sails under strict health precautions. Three people who were on board the ship have died since the journey began in Argentina last month.

Health officials have identified eight hantavirus cases connected to the ship, including three confirmed infections and five suspected cases. Medical experts found the Andes strain of hantavirus in two patients after testing in South Africa. Scientists believe this strain can spread through close human contact, unlike most hantavirus infections that mainly spread through rodents. Officials have started contact tracing efforts to identify everyone who may have been exposed during the voyage.

Authorities in the United States confirmed that they are monitoring three passengers who returned home after leaving the ship earlier in the trip. Health departments in Georgia and Arizona stated that the individuals currently show no symptoms and remain in good condition. Swiss health officials also confirmed that a passenger who traveled back to Zurich tested positive for the virus and is receiving treatment at a local hospital. International health agencies continue coordinating efforts to track passengers and assess possible exposure risks.

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Cruise ship leaves Cape Verde amid hantavirus outbreak fears.

A Dutch woman who previously left the ship in St Helena later died in South Africa after traveling there for medical care. Her husband had died earlier on the vessel, although officials have not confirmed his infection status. Another German passenger also died during the voyage, and investigators are still determining whether hantavirus caused the death. Health authorities have intensified monitoring after learning that some infected or potentially infected passengers traveled on commercial flights before their diagnosis.

More than 140 passengers and crew members remain aboard the MV Hondius under strict safety measures as the ship moves toward Tenerife. Spanish authorities plan to conduct medical assessments for everyone on arrival before arranging repatriation or quarantine procedures. Officials in the Canary Islands raised concerns about allowing the vessel to dock, arguing they received limited information about the outbreak. Despite those concerns, Spain’s health ministry stated that strict isolation protocols would prevent any risk to local residents.

Medical experts emphasized that hantavirus spreads differently from airborne illnesses such as COVID-19 or influenza. Doctors explained that transmission usually requires close physical contact rather than casual exposure. Testing on the ship remains ongoing as officials work to identify additional infections among passengers and crew. Health agencies continue stressing that the risk to the general public remains low while containment and monitoring measures stay in place.

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