Cape Verde: three evacuated from MV Hondius over suspected hantavirus

The hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius has widened, with the World Health Organization now reporting eight cases, five confirmed infections and three deaths.

The latest WHO update says the ship was moored off Cabo Verde and that the outbreak involves the Andes virus. WHO said the virus can spread between humans in limited circumstances.

Reuters reporting had already said three people were medically evacuated from the ship off Cape Verde. WHO’s newest figures show that the situation was broader than the initial evacuation report suggested.

According to WHO, there are now five confirmed hantavirus cases and three suspected cases. The agency has continued to describe the public health risk as limited, but the outbreak remains under monitoring.

The updated count makes clear that the incident aboard the MV Hondius is not just a one-off medical evacuation case, but an active multi-case outbreak with repatriation and follow-up still underway.