Cabo Verde authorities have blocked passengers on a cruise ship with a suspected deadly outbreak of hantavirus from disembarking in the country where it is anchored, officials said.

"In coordination with other relevant authorities, the ship was not granted authorization to dock at the port of Praia", said Maria da Luz Lima, president of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) in an interview with RTC public broadcaster late Sunday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that one of the affected passengers is currently in intensive care in Johannesburg, while efforts continue to coordinate a medical response involving multiple countries.

The outbreak occurred aboard the MV Hondius, a polar expedition vessel operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, which is currently stationed off Cabo Verde.

Ship route

The cruise departed from Argentina around three weeks ago with approximately 150 passengers, travelling through Antarctica and other remote regions before heading towards West Africa.

Health experts warn that hantavirus, a rodent-borne disease, can cause severe respiratory illness. It is typically transmitted when particles from rodent urine or droppings become airborne. While human-to-human transmission is rare, it remains possible in certain cases.

The illness usually begins with flu-like symptoms but can rapidly escalate to heart and lung failure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus has a fatality rate of around 40%.