Cape Verde prepares air evacuation from cruise ship Hondius after respiratory outbreak

Excerpt and Photo from Xinhua / english.news.cn

Cape Verdean health authorities announced preparations for an air evacuation of patients from the Dutch cruise ship Hondius, which remained offshore near the port of Praia after a respiratory outbreak was detected during its voyage. National Director of Health Angela Gomes confirmed the vessel had not been authorised to dock as a precautionary measure under the International Health Regulations.

The ship was carrying 147 people including passengers and crew, with three showing mild symptoms and clinically stable under continuous medical monitoring on board. The evacuation operation is being coordinated with the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, with biological samples sent to international laboratories to identify the cause of the outbreak.