Cape Verde & Maria Van Kerkhove

Cape Verde: Cape Verde authorities initially denied permission for ill passengers to disembark from the MV Hondius, complicating medical evacuations. Negotiations are ongoing for medical transfers and disembarkation.

Maria Van Kerkhove: Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, has been a key spokesperson, providing updates and insights on the hantavirus outbreak and the suspected human-to-human transmission.

Cape Verde: The MV Hondius departed from Cape Verde before the hantavirus outbreak emerged.

Maria Van Kerkhove: Maria Van Kerkhove, World Health Organization's director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, classified everyone on board the MV Hondius as 'high-risk' contacts and recommended 42 days of active monitoring.