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Cape Verde Anchors MV Hondius After Hantavirus Outbreak, Three Dead

5/7/2026

Summary

Cape Verde Quarantines

Cape Verde kept the MV Hondius anchored after a hantavirus outbreak infected 149 passengers and crew.
Three passengers died—a Dutch man on April 11, his Dutch wife on April 26, and a German woman on May 2.
WHO recorded eight infections, two confirmed, and, according to director Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the risk remains low.
Spain will receive the vessel in the Canary Islands for investigation after passengers stay in cabins under hygiene protocols.

Summary

German Passenger Transferred

A German asymptomatic passenger was transferred from a Dutch airport to Düsseldorf by the fire brigade’s high-risk unit.
She will undergo medical, infectious and virological examinations in the hospital’s infectious disease ward.
Officials expect her to return to Germany shortly after the assessments.
Bild said she had contact with a German passenger who died on the cruise ship while Oceanwide Expeditions flew three passengers on aircraft Cape Verde Wednesday morning.

Summary

Dutch Couple Dies

The Dutch couple from Haulerwijk, Friesland, died after the husband fell ill on April 6 during the cruise that began on April 1.
A British crew member has a severe infection while a Dutch crew member’s infection is described as mild.
Oceanwide Expeditions said remaining passengers may be taken to ports such as Las Palmas or Tenerife for medical screening.
The German woman who died on May 2 remains on board with her body still on the ship.

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Cape Verde Quarantines

Cape Verde kept the MV Hondius anchored after a hantavirus outbreak infected 149 passengers and crew.
Three passengers died—a Dutch man on April 11, his Dutch wife on April 26, and a German woman on May 2.
WHO recorded eight infections, two confirmed, and, according to director Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the risk remains low.
Spain will receive the vessel in the Canary Islands for investigation after passengers stay in cabins under hygiene protocols.

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