Cruise ship at center of suspected deadly hantavirus outbreak refused permission to dock
NBC News • • world
Key Points:
- A cruise ship, Hondius, at the center of a hantavirus outbreak has been denied docking in Cape Verde, with 149 passengers still onboard, including two seriously ill individuals.
- The virus has reportedly killed three people and sickened three more, with one patient in critical condition in a Johannesburg hospital; five cases remain suspected.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) stated the risk to the general public is low, emphasizing hantavirus is rare in humans and not easily transmitted, and called for no panic or travel restrictions.
- Passengers from 23 countries, including 17 Americans, are under strict isolation and medical monitoring, while plans are underway to possibly dock the ship in the Canary Islands or evacuate seriously ill patients.
- WHO officials highlighted the importance of international cooperation in managing health emergencies, noting infections are typically linked to rodent exposure and stressing a science-based response is ongoing.
