3 suspected hantavirus patients evacuated from cruise ship, sent to Netherlands

Three suspected hantavirus patients were evacuated from the stranded MV Hondius and sent to the Netherlands for treatment. The transfer came as authorities tracked deaths, fresh infections and a rare strain that can spread between humans.

In Short

• WHO said suspected patients are being transferred to the Netherlands
• Around 150 people remain aboard the MV Hondius near Cape Verde
• A Dutch couple and a German passenger have died so far

Three suspected hantavirus patients have been evacuated from a luxury cruise ship stranded off the coast of Cape Verde and are being transferred to the Netherlands for treatment, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.

The evacuation comes as health authorities race to contain an outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, which has been marooned for days with around 150 people on board. According to news agency Reuters, the vessel is expected to proceed to Spain following the medical transfer.

The outbreak has already claimed multiple lives. A Dutch couple and a German national who were passengers on the ship have died, while a British national remains in intensive care in South Africa. Meanwhile, Switzerland confirmed that a passenger who returned from the voyage has tested positive for the virus and is undergoing treatment in Zurich.

The Dutch foreign ministry said it is coordinating the evacuation of three patients, including one Dutch national, to the Netherlands, where they will receive medical treatment.

"All efforts are aimed at making this happen as soon as possible. Exact details of the timing and logistics of this operation can only be shared once they are definitively established," the ministry said.

Authorities there said the case poses no risk to the wider public.

South African officials have identified a strain of hantavirus among the victims that, in rare instances, can spread between humans -- raising concerns among health agencies monitoring the situation.

Despite the fatalities and infections, the World Health Organization has maintained that the overall risk to the general public remains low.

WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS?

Hantavirus infections typically occur through exposure to infected rodents or contact with their urine, droppings, or saliva. Transmission between humans is uncommon.

However, limited transmission among close contacts has been documented in past outbreaks involving the Andes strain, which circulates in parts of South America, including Argentina -- where the cruise began its journey in March.

South Africa's health ministry said contact tracing is in progress, with 62 individuals identified so far, including flight crew and healthcare workers. All contacts are being monitored through the incubation period, and none have tested positive for hantavirus at this stage.

Cape Verde, the planned final stop of the voyage, has refused to allow passengers to disembark due to the outbreak onboard.

Late Tuesday, Spain's health ministry said it had agreed to receive the MV Hondius at the request of the World Health Organization and the European Union, citing international law and humanitarian considerations.

- Ends