Dutch government officials report that roughly 40 cruise ship passengers have been evacuated to the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena following a fatal hantavirus outbreak aboard their vessel.
The evacuated passengers include the spouse of a Dutch citizen who died from the virus, according to statements from Netherlands authorities. Among those who left the ship during its stop at the rocky, isolated island were a Dutch woman currently receiving medical care in South Africa and a Swiss passenger also undergoing treatment.
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen detailed the situation in correspondence to parliament delivered Wednesday evening local time. The minister’s letter outlined the evacuation but did not specify the current whereabouts of the passengers who disembarked.
Officials have not disclosed the present location of the evacuated individuals or provided updates on their medical conditions. St. Helena, known for its rugged terrain and remote location in the South Atlantic, served as the emergency disembarkation point during the health crisis.
