An Australian who was onboard a luxury cruise ship during a suspected outbreak of the deadly rat-borne hantavirus has since returned home. At least three other Australians are among 149 passengers stranded onboard the MV Hondius, which remains moored off the coast of Cape Verde, West Africa.
The ship, which had been on a cruise from Argentina to Antarctica, requested help from authorities on Sunday following the death of a third passenger. An Australian passenger was among 23 who disembarked the ship at St Helena on April 21 after the first death was recorded.
One of those who disembarked has since tested positive to the virus and is recovering in hospital in Switzerland, according to a Spanish passenger still stranded onboard. 'Until three days ago, no one had contacted them,' they told Spanish newspaper El Pais. 'The Australian went back to Australia, the one from Taiwan to Taiwan, the Americans to all corners of North America. The Englishman to England, the Dutch to their homes.'
More to come.
