Passengers aboard the cruise vessel Hondius are unable to disembark in Cape Verde after a suspected outbreak of Hantavirus triggered health concerns.
The ship, carrying about 150 passengers and 61 crew, is currently anchored off Praia, with only three individuals cleared for medical evacuation.
Operator Oceanwide Expeditions says it is weighing options, including sailing to the Canary Islands—with Las Palmas or Tenerife under consideration for possible disembarkation.
The situation escalated after three passengers died onboard, including a Dutch couple and a German national. The virus was confirmed in one of the victims, while another infected passenger is receiving intensive care in South Africa. Several suspected cases, including among crew members, are also being monitored.
Despite the scare, the company says the mood onboard remains calm.
Health experts note that hantavirus is rare and typically spreads through contact with infected rodents—not between humans. The World Health Organization says there’s no wider public health risk for now but investigations are ongoing.
For now, passengers wait at sea—uncertain of their next stop, but hoping for safe clearance soon.
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