Hantavirus patients evacuated from cruise ship hit by outbreak including Brit doctor

Three people, including a British crew member, have now been airlifted from the doomed cruise liner hit by a rat-borne virus

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Three people on board the doomed cruise ship hit by a virus outbreak which is currently marooned off Cape Verde have now been medically evacuated, it has been confirmed.

So far three passengers have been killed by a deadly Hantavirus, which spread by rats. It is believed a couple may have brought the virus on board after travelling in Argentina.

There have been eight cases in total so far linked to the MV Hondius, including two Brits. One is in intensive care in South Africa and the second is a crew member, believed to be the ship’s doctor who was struck down on the vessel after helping other passengers. He was one of the three transported off the ship to be airlifted back to the Netherlands.

Swiss authorities confirmed that a case of Hantavirus had been identified in a passenger who’d left the cruise ship and had responded to an alert sent by the ship and presented himself to a hospital in Zurich.

READ MORE: Hantavirus cruise ship outbreak live: Canary Islands reject virus-hit MV HondiusREAD MORE: Hantavirus outbreak cruise ship rescue plan being drawn up for Brits stranded on MV Hondius

WHO director Tedros Ghebreyesus said the three evacuated are now on their way for treatment in the Netherlands.

“At this stage, the overall public health risk remains low,” he added.

Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator, revealed two infectious disease physicians, coming from the Netherlands, will stay on the ship as it leaves Cape Verde.

They said they would remain with the other passengers as long as the three people to be moved are “successfully transferred” onto the planes from the ship.

The cruise ship operator said: “Oceanwide Expeditions continues to respond to an ongoing medical situation aboard M/V Hondius. The vessel remains anchored offshore of Cape Verde.

They said once aboard the aircraft, the two crew, who have “acute symptoms”, will be transferred to medical and screening facilities.

The third individual is closely associated with the guest who passed away on board on May 2nd 2026 will be taken elsewhere.

Their statement also revealed an additional medical professional is already on board MV Hondius. It is believed the ship will now leave for a three day trip to the Canary Islands. They said there are still discussions with the authorities about what to do when they arrive there.

“Oceanwide Expeditions remains in close and continual discussion with relevant authorities regarding our exact point of arrival, quarantine and screening procedures for all guests, and a precise timeline.

“We are unable to confirm the details of onward travel for guests at this stage. This is dependent on medical advice and the outcome of stringent screening procedures.”

But it is uncertain if the Canary Islands will also reject the ship. Spain had said they had a “moral and legal obligation” to let the MV Hondius where seven people are suspected to have been infected by Hantavirus dock.

But Regional leader Fernando Clavijo is opposing the move and said: “I cannot allow it to enter the Canary Islands.” Clavijo belongs to the conservative People’s Party. He has requested an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to discuss the issue.

The ship’s intended destination had been Cape Verde, but they were refused entry on Monday, the day their 148 passengers and crew, including 23 Brits, were due to disembark.

The Spanish ‌ health ministry has told how the World Health Organisation and the European Union had asked them to take the MV Hondius “in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles”.

“The World Health Organisation has explained that Cape Verde is unable to carry out this operation,” the health ministry added.

“The Canary Islands are the closest location with the necessary capabilities.

“Spain has a moral and legal obligation to assist these people, among whom are also several Spanish citizens.”

Once in the Canary Islands, at a port in either Gran Canaria or Tenerife, crew and passengers would be examined, treated and repatriated to their respective countries, in coordination with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the WHO.

All necessary safety measures would be taken, the health ministry said, with medical care and transportation in special facilities and vehicles to avoid contact with the local population and protect health workers.