Three people are being medically evacuated today from the MV Hondius cruise ship following a deadly Hantavirus outbreak that has killed three passengers and left another in intensive care.
Two of those being airlifted to the Netherlands are seriously ill, while the third had close contact with a passenger who died.
The three fatalities so far are a Dutch couple and a German national. A 69-year-old British passenger remains in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa, after being evacuated earlier.
Swiss officials confirmed today that a passenger who returned home has tested positive for the virus and is being treated in Zurich.
Although it is the “Andes” strain, the only hantavirus known to spread between humans, authorities say there is no risk to the general public.
The MV Hondius departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 for a month-long Antarctic expedition. After being denied docking in Cape Verde, the ship is now reportedly heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands.
Around 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries remain on board under strict isolation protocols.