The Digest:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed two hantavirus cases and five suspected cases among people on a cruise ship stuck off Cape Verde, including three deaths. The affected individuals were on the MV Hondius, which was travelling from Ushuaia in Argentina to Cape Verde. Illness onset occurred between April 6 and 28, 2026, with symptoms including fever, gastrointestinal issues, rapid progression to pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. One critically ill patient and three individuals with mild symptoms have also been reported. WHO assessed the global risk as "low" but continues to monitor the situation.
Key Points:
- Three deaths have been recorded among the seven confirmed and suspected cases.
- A British passenger is in intensive care in Johannesburg.
- Contact tracing has begun for passengers on a flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg.
- Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through infected rodents, but human-to-human transmission has occurred in past outbreaks.
- Passengers from Britain, Spain, the US, and crew from the Philippines are among those affected.
Sources: Channels Television
