New footage reveals deserted scenes aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship following a hantavirus outbreak that has resulted in three deaths and left numerous passengers ill.

Cruise Ship Stranded Off Cape Verde

The ship is currently stranded off the coast of Cape Verde as authorities grapple with the crisis and work to evacuate the sick and determine a plan for the remaining passengers. Local health authorities have denied docking permission to safeguard public health, creating a precarious situation for those on board.

Disturbing Footage Emerges

Disturbing new video footage has surfaced from within the MV Hondius, revealing a starkly deserted atmosphere and masked crew members. The vessel, carrying approximately 150 individuals, remains largely locked down with passengers confined to their cabins.

Isolation and Disinfection

The footage depicts empty decks, with only a handful of personnel in medical masks visible, and vacant common areas as passengers adhere to strict isolation protocols. A team of five individuals clad in full protective gear – white overalls, boots, and face masks – were observed disembarking the ship via a small boat.

WHO Guidance and Crew Illness

The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised passengers to remain in their cabins and minimize risk while disinfection procedures are underway. Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator, reported that two crew members, one British and one Dutch, are currently exhibiting acute respiratory symptoms, one mild and one severe.

Ship's Doctor Among the Ill

Notably, the ship’s doctor, a British national, is among those afflicted, having dedicatedly cared for patients until falling ill himself. The evacuation of sick passengers is proving challenging, with two specialized aircraft being prepared, but a firm timeline remains uncertain.

Evacuation and Disembarkation Plans

A definitive disembarkation plan for the remaining 149 passengers from 23 countries is also pending, leaving them in a state of anxious anticipation. Options being considered include sailing to Las Palmas or Tenerife for medical screening under the supervision of the WHO and Dutch health services, but no concrete arrangements have been confirmed.

International Collaboration

The WHO is collaborating with Spanish authorities to potentially allow the ship to dock for a comprehensive investigation, disinfection, and risk assessment, but Spain has yet to officially approve the plan.

Outbreak Details as of May 4, 2026

As of May 4, 2026, the WHO has identified seven cases linked to the outbreak, including the three fatalities, one critically ill patient, and three with mild symptoms. The first death occurred on April 11 with a 70-year-old Dutch man, his body remaining on board until April 24 when it was repatriated with his wife.

Tragic Deaths and Positive Tests

Tragically, his 69-year-old wife subsequently succumbed to the illness, and a British passenger was medically evacuated to South Africa, where they tested positive for hantavirus. A German passenger also died on board on May 2.

Hantavirus Symptoms and Transmission

The UK Government advises that symptoms typically manifest between two and four weeks after exposure, but can appear as early as two days or as late as eight weeks, raising concerns about potential further cases developing in the coming days and weeks. Hantaviruses, transmitted by rodents through contact with their urine, droppings, and saliva, have a mortality rate of around 40 percent, according to the US Centers for Disease Control.

The situation remains fluid and complex, with the health and well-being of those on board paramount as authorities work to resolve the crisis.