07.05.2026 08:02
The luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, where a hantavirus outbreak occurred off the coast of Cape Verde, has set sail toward Spain. Three people have died in the outbreak, while eight others are suspected of contracting the virus. The World Health Organization has stated that human-to-human transmission of the virus is very rare. While passengers on the ship remain under quarantine measures, it has been reported that some passengers will be placed under observation at a military hospital upon arrival in Spain.
The hantavirus outbreak on a luxury cruise ship stranded off the coast of Cape Verde has caused panic. Three people have died on the ship, while many passengers have been quarantined.
The luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, carrying approximately 150 people, had been held off the coast of Cape Verde for days due to the hantavirus outbreak. According to Reuters, the ship set sail for Spain on Wednesday.
3 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES
It was announced that three people, one German and two Dutch, lost their lives in the outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a total of eight people are suspected of contracting the virus, with three of them confirmed through laboratory tests. A Swiss citizen passenger also returned to their country and is receiving treatment in Zurich.
SHIP HEADING TO SPAIN
It was announced that the ship is expected to reach the port of Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands within three days. Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia stated that the remaining passengers on the ship currently show no symptoms. It was noted that Spanish passengers will be quarantined at a military hospital in Madrid, and that the hantavirus has an incubation period of 45 days.
NOT FROM HORMUZ, BUT SOUTH AMERICAN ORIGIN
The Argentine Ministry of Health announced that rodent analysis will be conducted in the city of Ushuaia, the cruise's departure point, to investigate the source of the outbreak. Authorities are examining the travel routes of the infected Dutch tourists in Argentina and Chile. It was stated that no related cases have been found in Argentina so far.
“HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION IS VERY RARE”
The South African Ministry of Health announced that the Andes strain of the virus, which can be transmitted between humans in rare cases, has been detected. WHO official Maria Van Kerkhove emphasized that hantavirus is not an easily spreading virus like Covid-19, and transmission can only occur through very close physical contact.
PASSENGERS NOT IN PANIC
Kasem Hato, a passenger on the ship, told Reuters that the passengers are calm. Hato said, "People take the situation seriously, but there is no panic. We wear masks and maintain distance. Our days are almost normal."
MOROCCO DENIED LANDING PERMISSION
It was revealed that one of the planes carrying two patients suspected of having the virus to Amsterdam had its request for a refueling landing in Morocco denied. The plane was later diverted to Gran Canaria Airport in Spain. Authorities announced that one of the patients had a problem with their life support system there and was connected to the airport's electrical system while waiting for a new plane.