Praia, May 4, 2026 (Lusa) - Cabo Verde's ministry of health reported on Monday that three people are showing symptoms but are in a stable condition on board the cruise ship Hondius, on which, according to the WHO, three people have died as a result of acute respiratory syndrome.
The WHO indicated that at least one case of hantavirus, a rare group of viruses primarily associated with rodents, has been confirmed.
“The vessel is carrying 147 people, including passengers and crew” and, “of this total, three people are showing symptoms and have been properly assessed and treated by a medical team, and are currently in a stable condition,” the ministry of health explained in a statement.
The boat, carrying passengers of various nationalities, remains at the entrance to the port of Praia, without authorisation to disembark, receiving assistance from personnel wearing full protective suits.
International coordination "has allowed for a swift, safe and technically appropriate response, guaranteeing the clinical monitoring of patients and the preparation of all necessary precautionary measures, including a possible medical evacuation by air using an air ambulance of the patients requiring further care," it said.
The health ministry also said that “the situation is under control, and there is, as yet, no risk to the public on land”.
"After technical and epidemiological evaluation, the national health authorities decided not to authorise docking at the port of Praia as a precaution," the statement said, adding that International Health Regulations have been followed, to protect public health.
"The necessary medical assistance is being ensured by a team deployed for the purpose, consisting of specialist doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians."
"Hospital response measures have also been prepared for a possible need for specialised care at the Dr. Agostinho Neto Hospital," in Praia. The work is being coordinated between health and port authorities, with the support of the WHO alongside the authorities of the Netherlands, from where the ship originated, and the United Kingdom, the country of origin of at least one of the people affected.
The Dutch cruise ship Hondius entered Cabo Verde waters on Sunday, and the archipelago's health authorities are monitoring it following international notification of an outbreak of respiratory illness on board, with the occurrence of serious cases and deaths.
The vessel was travelling between Ushuaia, Argentina, and the Canary Islands.
According to the information transmitted to the Cabo Verde authorities, the ship had been in the South Atlantic visiting various islands for wildlife watching.
In statements to the Associated Press, Oceanwide Expeditions, the company responsible for the cruise, said that the body of the third victim was still on board the ship in Cabo Verde and that its priority was to ensure that two crew members who are ill received medical assistance.
LFO/MYAL // AYLS
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