The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the evacuation of three individuals suspected to be infected with Hantavirus from a cruise ship off Cape Verde, as global health authorities continue to monitor the situation.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus disclosed on Wednesday that the affected individuals are being transported to the Netherlands for medical treatment, while reassuring that the overall public health risk remains low.
“Three suspected hantavirus case patients have just been evacuated from the ship and are on their way to receive medical care in the Netherlands,” Tedros said.
The incident centres on the MV Hondius, which has been under international scrutiny since Saturday after the WHO was alerted to multiple suspected cases onboard, including three fatalities.
The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, departed Ushuaia on April 1, 2026 for a transatlantic voyage and has remained anchored off Cape Verde since Sunday.
According to the WHO, the ship carries 88 passengers and 59 crew members from 23 different nationalities.
Health authorities have so far confirmed three cases of hantavirus, including one fatality, while five additional cases remain under investigation.
The evacuation, involving two crew members and one other individual, was coordinated between the WHO, the vessel’s operators, and national authorities from Cape Verde, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
“WHO continues to work with the ship’s operators to closely monitor the health of passengers and crew, working with countries to support appropriate medical follow-up and evacuation where needed,” Tedros said.
He added that monitoring protocols have been initiated for both those still onboard and individuals who have already disembarked, in collaboration with relevant health authorities.
Hantavirus is a rare disease typically transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents or their bodily fluids, including urine, droppings, and saliva.
Despite the alert, the WHO has maintained that “the overall public health risk remains low,” as containment and response measures continue.
