Medical Evacuation Completes on Expedition Ship MV Hondius

What Happened?

Three people aboard the Dutch‑flagged ship MV Hondius were taken off the vessel and flown to medical facilities that can give them specialized care. The move ended a several‑day standoff that kept the ship anchored outside a port in Cape Verde.

Why the Ship Was Stuck

Cape Verdean authorities refused to let the ship dock after a hantavirus outbreak was suspected on board. To protect public health, they created a “sanitary corridor” – a zone where the ship could stay but not enter the port. While the ship waited, three passengers died and others fell ill.

The Evacuation Details

Oceanwide Expeditions, the tour operator that runs the trip, confirmed that the three individuals who needed urgent help have now left the ship. They are on medically equipped planes headed to hospitals abroad that can run advanced tests and provide treatment.

• Two of the evacuees are still showing serious symptoms.
• The third person has no symptoms right now but was a close contact of someone who died on May 2, 2026.
• So far, tests have not shown hantavirus in the two symptomatic patients.

Current Situation On Board

After the evacuation, 146 passengers and crew remain on the MV Hondius. They are under strict quarantine while the ship prepares to sail to the Canary Islands. Health experts from the Netherlands’ RIVM institute have flown in two infectious‑disease doctors to strengthen medical care on the ship.

Health Updates and Precautions

In addition to the cases on the Hondius, a passenger who traveled on the first leg of the trip (Ushuaia to St. Helena, April 1‑24, 2026) has tested positive for hantavirus and is being treated at Zurich University Hospital. His wife, who showed no symptoms, is self‑isolating as a precaution.

The ship’s crew is working closely with the World Health Organization, local embassies, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other health agencies to monitor the situation and decide when it is safe for everyone to disembark.

Looking Ahead: Next Steps

The MV Hondius is still set to continue its journey to the Canary Islands. Exact arrival times and any further quarantine measures will depend on medical advice and the results of thorough health screenings for all guests and staff.

Oceanwide Expeditions said they will keep updating travelers and will only allow onward travel when health officials give the go‑ahead.

Conclusion

The evacuation of the three critically ill passengers marks a turning point in a difficult week for the MV Hondius. While those individuals are now receiving the care they need, the rest of the ship’s community stays under watchful quarantine. Ongoing cooperation with international health bodies aims to keep everyone safe and to determine when the voyage can resume normally.