Passengers and crew remained confined aboard the MV Hondius off Cape Verde after authorities denied docking following three deaths linked to a suspected hantavirus outbreak.
The vessel, carrying 149 people from 23 nationalities, faced strict isolation measures as uncertainty spread among passengers stranded in Atlantic waters.
Operator Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed the fatalities occurred during a voyage from Ushuaia to West Africa, raising alarm onboard.
Health officials enforced quarantine protocols, including cabin confinement, intensified hygiene measures and continuous medical monitoring to limit potential transmission risks.
The World Health Organization said the broader public risk remained low, despite confirming one hantavirus case and several suspected infections onboard.
A British passenger receiving intensive care in Johannesburg tested positive, while two crew members required urgent treatment as investigations continued.
Cape Verdean authorities refused entry at the Port of Praia, citing public safety concerns and pledging zero contact between passengers and the local population.
Officials began exploring alternative disembarkation options, including Spain’s Canary Islands, where further screening and medical response could be organised.
Passengers described fear and frustration, with one traveller saying uncertainty overshadowed their confinement as hopes focused on evacuation and safe return home.
Health experts noted hantavirus is typically transmitted through rodents, though rare human transmission remains under investigation in this unfolding maritime health crisis.
