Ministry of Health also assured that “the situation is under control, and so far there is no risk to the population on land”.
The Ministry of Health of Cape Verde reported that three people have symptoms, but are stable, on board the cruise ship Hondius on which, according to the WHO,
At least one case of hantavirus has been confirmed in the laboratory, indicated the World Health Organization (WHO), a group of rare viruses, mainly associated with rodents.
“The vessel carries 147 people, including passengers and crew” and, “of this total, three people have symptoms and were duly evaluated and assisted by a health team, and are currently clinically stable”, the ministry detailed, in a statement, about the situation on board.
The boat with people of various nationalities remains stopped at the entrance to the port of Praia, without authorization to disembark and receiving assistance from personnel dressed in full protective suits.
An international coordination “has allowed a quick, safe and technically adequate response, guaranteeing the clinical monitoring of patients and the preparation of all necessary precautionary measures, including a possible sanitary evacuation by air via ambulance plane of patients being followed up”, he indicated.
The Ministry of Health also assured that “the situation is under control, and so far there is no risk to the population on land”.
“After technical and epidemiological assessment, the national health authorities decided not to authorize docking in the port of Praia, as a precaution”, reads the statement.
According to the document, “the International Health Regulations were followed, with the aim of protecting public health”.
“The necessary medical assistance is being provided by a team allocated for this purpose, made up of specialist doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians. Hospital response measures have also been prepared for any need for differentiated care at Hospital Dr. Agostinho Neto”, in the capital, Praia.
The work is being coordinated between health and port structures, with the support of WHO and in connection with authorities in the Netherlands, where the ship originates, and the United Kingdom, the country of origin of at least one of the affected people.
The Dutch cruise ship Hondius entered Cape Verde waters on Sunday and the archipelago’s health authorities are following it after international notification of an outbreak of respiratory disease on board, with the occurrence of serious cases and deaths.
The vessel made the connection between Ushuaia, in Argentina, and the Canary Islands.
According to information transmitted to Cape Verdean authorities, the ship was in the South Atlantic visiting several islands for wildlife observation tourism.
In an interview with the Associated Press (AP), Oceanwide Expeditions, the company responsible for the cruise, reported that the body of the third victim was still on board the ship in Cape Verde and that its priority was to ensure that two crew members who are ill received medical attention.
