PRAIA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Cape Verde authorities have offered medical help and banned the Dutch cruise vessel Hondius from docking at the port of Praia over public health concerns, as a respiratory disease outbreak was detected on board.
According to a statement issued on Monday from the country's Ministry of Health, the decision was taken as a precautionary measure and in line with the International Health Regulations to protect public health.
It said the vessel entered the water of Cape Verde on Sunday after international health authorities notified the country of an outbreak involving severe cases and deaths.
According to the statement, the ship was carrying 147 people, including passengers and crew. Three of them showed symptoms and have been evaluated by a health team, and are currently in stable clinical condition.
The vessel remains offshore under continuous monitoring, with medical assistance being provided by a team of specialist doctors, nurses, and laboratory technicians.
Earlier, local news agency Inforpress reported that health authorities suspected the outbreak could be linked to hantavirus infection.
Maria da Luz Lima, president of Cape Verde's National Institute of Public Health, said a medical team has boarded the vessel to assess infected individuals and later returned to begin treatment for those requiring specific care.
Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization (WHO)'s regional director for Europe, said in a post on X on Monday that the organization is working with the countries involved to support medical care, evacuation, investigations, and public health risk assessment.
He said the risk to the wider public remains low and that there is no need for panic or travel restrictions.
On Sunday, the WHO said that, in addition to the one confirmed case of hantavirus, there are five additional suspected cases and three of the six affected individuals have died.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the Netherlands-based operator of the vessel, confirmed the death of three passengers during the voyage, adding that two crew members on board required urgent medical care. ■