The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) has confirmed to Lusa that a Portuguese citizen is among those on board the cruise ship Hondius, where three people have died from acute respiratory syndrome. According to the ministry, the Portuguese national is a member of the crew and has not requested diplomatic assistance.
A source from the MNE stated via telephone that the citizen is reportedly doing well. This confirmation comes as the Cape Verdean Ministry of Health reported that while three other individuals currently show symptoms, they remain in a stable clinical condition.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed through laboratory testing that at least one case is linked to hantavirus, a rare group of viruses typically associated with rodents. The vessel is currently carrying 147 people, including both passengers and crew.
Despite the reported illnesses, the Cape Verdean Ministry of Health assured the public that the situation is under control and that there is no risk to the population on land. The ship remains anchored at the entrance of the port of Praia without authorization to disembark, as medical teams in full protective gear provide assistance and prepare for possible air evacuations via ambulance plane if necessary.
Read more about this topic: Understanding hantavirus: The disease behind isolated cruise in Cape Verde (with videos)
The response is being coordinated internationally between health and port structures, with support from the WHO and in connection with authorities from the Netherlands, where the ship is registered, and the United Kingdom, the home country of at least one victim.
The Hondius entered Cape Verdean waters on Sunday following an international notification regarding the outbreak of severe respiratory illness and deaths on board. The vessel was traveling a route from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the Canary Islands and had recently visited several islands in the South Atlantic for wildlife observation.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the company operating the cruise, confirmed that the body of the third victim remains on board and stated that their priority is ensuring that the two ill crew members receive proper medical care.
