Cruise ship at center of rare-virus outbreak waits off Cape Verde's coast
(5 May 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS View from Praia, Cape Verde - 5 May 2026 ++NIGHT SHOT++ 1. View of MV Hondius cruise ship off the coast of Cape Verde STORYLINE: The MV Hondius, the Dutch ship at the center of a rare-virus outbreak remained anchored of the coast of Cape Verde Tuesday night. Three passengers have died and at least four people have been sick aboard the ship, in what health officials say is an outbreak of hantavirus, which usually spreads by inhaling contaminated rodent droppings. The World Health Organization said passengers are isolating in their cabins. Oceanwide Expeditions, the company that operates the vessel, said Tuesday evening that two specialized aircraft were flying to Cape Verde to evacuate two people who need urgent medical care and one person who was traveling with a German woman who died on board Saturday. They were to be taken to the Netherlands, though exactly when that would happen was not immediately clear. Once the medical evacuation happens, the ship plans to sail to the Canary Islands, either Gran Canaria or Tenerife, a voyage of some three days, the company said in its statement, adding that “discussions are ongoing with relevant authorities. Spanish health officials had said in an earlier statement that they were monitoring and that "the most appropriate port of call will be decided. Until then, the Ministry of Health will not adopt any decision, as we have informed the World Health Organization.” The MV Hondius which had been on a weekslong polar cruise, departed April 1 from Argentina for Antarctica and several isolated islands in the South Atlantic. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/638b9291e3bb4e70a8b68d92f70864a6