The cruise liner MV Hondius was due to reach Madeira on the 12th of May as part of a route that also included Cape Verde and the Canary Islands. Instead, the ship remains under quarantine off the coast of Cape Verde after seven passengers contracted hantavirus. The outbreak has already caused three deaths, raising serious concern among the authorities. Hantavirus is a rare infection that is mostly associated with rodents and has an overall mortality rate of about 36%. Yesterday, Cape Verde authorities refused to let the vessel dock because of public safety worries. A medical team, nurses, and a laboratory specialist are now on board to deal with the situation. Plans are also being made to medically evacuate passengers from the ship.
