MV Hondius cruise ship at center of suspected deadly hantavirus outbreak refused permission to dock
The MV Hondius cruise ship, suspected of having a hantavirus outbreak, has been denied docking permission by Cape Verde authorities over public health concerns. Three passengers have died and others are seriously ill, with one British national confirmed to have hantavirus after being evacuated to South Africa. The ship's operator is exploring options to screen and disembark passengers in the Canary Islands.
- ▪Three passengers, including a Dutch couple and a German national, have died under suspicion of hantavirus infection.
- ▪A 70-year-old Dutch man died on April 11, followed by his 69-year-old wife who died after being transferred to South Africa.
- ▪An ill British man was evacuated to South Africa on April 27 and later tested positive for hantavirus, a rare rodent-borne disease.
- ▪Cape Verde refused the Dutch-flagged MV Hondius permission to dock to protect national public health.
- ▪Oceanwide Expeditions is considering passenger screening and disembarkation in Las Palmas and Tenerife.
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World News MV Hondius cruise ship at center of suspected deadly hantavirus outbreak refused permission to dock By Emily Crane Published May 4, 2026, 10:41 a.m. ET The luxury MV Hondius cruise ship at the center of a deadly suspected hantavirus outbreak has been refused permission to dock in the West African island nation of Cape Verde, officials said Monday. Roughly 150 people are currently trapped on the Dutch cruise liner off the African coast after three passengers died and others became seriously sick with symptoms. The ship, which was on a weekslong polar cruise from Argentina to Antarctica, had requested help from local health authorities on Sunday following the latest death.
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