Three people—a Dutch couple and a German national—have died aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, during a polar expedition from Argentina to Antarctica, amid a suspected hantavirus outbreak. The vessel is currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde, where authorities have refused permission for passengers and crew to disembark, leaving more than 150 people stranded since late April.

A Boston-based travel influencer, Jake Rosmarin, shared a video from the ship describing fear and uncertainty among those onboard. 'We're not just headlines,' he said, urging the public to remember the human toll. One infected individual was evacuated to South Africa on April 27 and later tested positive for hantavirus, a rare but serious illness typically spread through rodent contact. Five to six others are reported ill, though hantavirus has not been confirmed in the two patients still requiring medical care.

Oceanwide Expeditions stated in a letter to passengers that the virus has not been confirmed in the remaining symptomatic individuals and that a link to the three deaths has not been established. The company said it is prioritizing medical evacuations and is in communication with Cape Verdean authorities, who have yet to grant approval for disembarkation. The World Health Organization has not confirmed any ongoing investigation.

Cape Verdean health officials have not publicly explained their decision to deny docking, and no timeline has been provided for resolution. The court will resume hearing on Tuesday.