Ruptly
"Cape Verdean authorities have blocked a cruise ship from docking in the capital, Praia, after a suspected hantavirus outbreak left three passengers dead. The MV Hondius, carrying around 150 people, remains offshore as health officials work to assess and contain the situation. The Ministry of Health said on Tuesday it had activated emergency protocols following alerts from the World Health Organization. The vessel is now under strict sanitary monitoring. “The vessel should be kept far from the city until the situation is fully understood,” one local resident warned. “Cape Verde is a small country, and we must take maximum precautions against any unknown disease." While authorities say the risk to the public is 'low', the situation has raised concern among residents and poses a potential setback for the archipelago’s tourism sector. "Authorities must determine whether this can spread," a Portuguese tourist said, adding that isolating the situation is key to protecting the country’s image as a destination. According to reports, the MV Hondius will remain under quarantine until a final destination is agreed with international health authorities. Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents. Human-to-human transmission is rare, but severe cases can lead to respiratory failure or haemorrhagic fever."
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