PRAIA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Cabo Verde on Wednesday carried out an air evacuation of three passengers suspected of hantavirus infection from the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, which had been anchored off the capital, Praia.
The evacuation was conducted under strict security and health protocols, with personnel from the national police and public health services deployed from the Port of Praia to Nelson Mandela International Airport on Santiago Island.
The three passengers were transferred by air ambulance, with the two aircraft departing at 10:55 a.m. local time (1155 GMT) in quick succession.
According to the World Health Organization, the patients would be transported to the Netherlands for specialized treatment.
Authorities in Cabo Verde said they are continuing to monitor the situation related to the vessel and have maintained preventive and control measures.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it is closely tracking reports of the new cluster of hantavirus infections, as countries in Africa and beyond initiate a coordinated international response. ■
