A Greek national is among those aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, where deaths linked to a suspected hantavirus outbreak have been reported this week.
The vessel had anchored at the Atlantic island complex of Cape Verde, off northwest Africa, as health authorities began assessing the situation.
The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, is currently facing a serious public health crisis while remaining offshore with dozens of passengers and crew members representing 23 different nationalities.
Health officials are investigating a possible connection to hantavirus infection—a rare but potentially deadly disease typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. While hantavirus outbreaks are uncommon in maritime settings, international health protocols are being closely followed as a precaution.
The ship’s operator has released a detailed list outlining the total number of passengers as well as their nationalities, in line with transparency measures often seen in similar incidents reported by major international media. Coordination between local authorities in Cape Verde, international health agencies, and the cruise operator is ongoing as efforts continue to contain the situation and provide medical support.
