Praia, May 4, 2026 (Lusa) - Cabo Verde's health authorities assisted a cruise ship off Praia on Sunday where three people died from acute respiratory syndrome (a severe lung condition), a government source told Lusa.

Health professionals wearing full protective equipment boarded the Dutch ship "Hondius." The vessel has remained anchored off Praia since that morning and is visible from the capital.

Officials conducted a medical assessment and assistance operation, and the source said no one would disembark in the archipelago.

The ship would maintain permanent contact with island authorities, but passengers and crew would remain at sea, the source added.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome, adding that investigations and a coordinated international public health response are underway.

"Today, a laboratory confirmed one hantavirus (a group of viruses that can cause haemorrhagic fevers, it is spread by rodents' urine and faeces) infection and five other suspected cases. Of the six people affected, three died, and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa," a WHO source told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The ship travelled between Ushuaia, Argentina, and Cabo Verde.

Information provided to authorities showed the ship visited several South Atlantic islands for wildlife tourism.

South African authorities said a 69-year-old British passenger was hospitalised in Johannesburg and tested positive for hantavirus.

Global ship tracking site MarineTraffic locates the Dutch-flagged ship off Praia, the Associated Press (AP) said.

LFO/LYT // ADB.

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