The World Health Organization has said the current hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship off Cabo Verde is serious but not comparable to the early stages of the COVID 19 pandemic. Health officials stressed that, based on what is known about hantaviruses, the risk of a global crisis similar to COVID is low.
As of 4 May 2026, seven cases connected to the Dutch flagged MV Hondius cruise ship have been identified, including two laboratory confirmed hantavirus infections and five suspected cases. Three deaths have been recorded, one patient is critically ill, and three others have reported milder symptoms.
The affected passengers developed illness between 6 and 28 April, with symptoms such as high fever, stomach upset, rapid progression to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress and shock. Investigations so far suggest that initial exposure likely occurred before boarding, with the possibility of limited secondary transmission in close contact settings on the ship.
Hantavirus is usually contracted through contact with urine, faeces or saliva from infected rodents rather than casual person to person spread. While rare cases of human to human transmission have been reported, especially with the Andes virus in South America, such events are uncommon and typically require very close contact.
WHO currently assesses the global risk from the outbreak as low and says there is no evidence of widespread community transmission. Officials emphasise that this is “not a virus that spreads like flu or like COVID” and that the situation is very different from the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.
In response to the cluster, an international operation has been launched involving case isolation and treatment, medical evacuations, detailed contact tracing and enhanced laboratory testing. Authorities are also working with the ship’s operator to improve sanitation, rodent control and other measures to prevent further infections.
Public health experts say the incident is a reminder of the ongoing risk posed by zoonotic diseases that jump from animals to humans. They have urged countries to strengthen surveillance, diagnostics and outbreak preparedness to detect and contain such threats early.
About the author
Airing marital issues online is my dealbreaker, says Nasboi
Nigerian skit maker and singer Nasiru Lawal, popularly known as Nasboi, has revealed that taking private marital issues to social media is a clear dealbreaker for him. He said he would not tolerate a situation where problems that could be resolved at home are instead aired on the internet. In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Nasboi wrote that if he gets married and his wife brings a private issue they could have settled indoors to the internet, that would be the end of the marriage for him. “If I get married and my wife brings a private issue we could’ve settled at home to the internet, that’s a dealbreaker for me,” he stated. The entertainer’s stance quickly went viral, with blogs quoting him as saying he would divorce any wife who takes their marital problems online. […]
Government role won’t end my music career – Davido
Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, says holding a government position will not mark the end of his music career. He made this known while addressing questions about his growing involvement in politics and public service. During a recent livestream and follow up media interviews, Davido explained that if he ever decides to work in government, he would continue to perform, though he might appear less frequently on stage. “If I ever decide to work in government, I’d still be performing, but not all the time,” he said, stressing that public office would not stop him from being an artist. The Grammy nominated singer said he has studied examples of entertainers who successfully combined politics and music, citing in particular former Haitian president and singer Michel Martelly. According to him, these examples show that it is possible to […]
Foundation unveils Africa’s first Music Hall of Fame ceremony
A Lagos based arts foundation has announced plans to stage what it describes as Africa’s first ever Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony to celebrate the continent’s most influential artists and preserve their legacy. The initiative aims to create a formal African platform similar in spirit to global institutions like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. According to the organisers, the inaugural induction will take place in Lagos in 2026, with a red carpet ceremony, live performances and tributes to a carefully selected class of music legends. The event is expected to feature icons from different eras and genres, including highlife, juju, Afrobeat, Fuji, hip hop, gospel and Afrobeats. The foundation behind the project says its mission is to “celebrate Nigerian and African music legends while preserving music legacy” through a permanent Hall of Fame platform. Beyond the annual […]
FIFA president defends ‘astronomical’ 2026 World Cup ticket prices
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the record high ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup despite mounting criticism from fans’ groups and commentators. Supporters have branded the pricing “extortionate” and “shameful,” with some seats for the final reportedly costing several thousand dollars. The most expensive ticket for the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar was around 1,600 dollars at face value, but for the 2026 final in North America the top category is now about 11,000 dollars. Even group stage matches range from around 140 dollars up to 2,735 dollars, with prices rising sharply in the knockout rounds. Infantino argued that FIFA has to “apply market rates” because the tournament is taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where sports and entertainment pricing is already very high. He said demand has been “absolutely crazy,” with more than […]
Full list of teams that have won the Champions League unbeaten
Only a select group of clubs have managed to win the European Cup or UEFA Champions League without losing a single match in the entire campaign. Their unbeaten runs place them in an elite class of continental champions. According to historical records, 11–12 clubs have achieved this feat, some of them more than once. They include Inter Milan, Ajax, Nottingham Forest, AC Milan, Liverpool, Red Star Belgrade, Olympique de Marseille, Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Here are some of the standout unbeaten winners from the group stage era highlighted by recent reports: AC Milan (1988/89): 5 wins, 4 draws. AC Milan (1993/94): 4 wins, 4 draws. Red Star Belgrade (1990/91): 5 wins, 4 draws. Olympique de Marseille (1992/93): 6 wins, 4 draws. Manchester United (1998/99): 6 wins, 7 draws. Manchester United (2007/08): 9 wins, 4 draws. Barcelona […]
Osimhen linked with fresh potential summer move to PSG
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has once again been linked with a potential big money move to Paris Saint Germain ahead of the summer transfer window. The French champions are reportedly renewing their interest in the Super Eagles star as they plan another overhaul of their attack. Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray last summer after his spell with Napoli, has impressed in Turkey with his goals and overall play. His form has kept him on the radar of several top European clubs, including Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, but PSG are said to be pushing hardest for his signature. Reports from European media suggest PSG are prepared to table an offer in the region of 120 million euros to test Galatasaray’s resolve. The Paris club see Osimhen as a powerful focal point who can lead the line, attack space in behind defences […]
Related
Trump threatens higher level bombing of Iran if no deal is reached
US President Donald Trump has warned that he is prepared to order “higher level” bombing of Iran if ongoing peace efforts fail to produce a deal. His latest threat comes as ceasefire talks drag on and deadlines for a negotiated settlement approach. Trump has repeatedly said he will not extend the current truce indefinitely without what he considers a satisfactory agreement from Tehran. In one interview, he said he “expects to be bombing” if Iran does not accept the terms on the table, arguing that a tough stance is the best way to negotiate. The president and senior US officials have hinted that any renewed campaign would focus on destroying key elements of Iran’s energy and transport infrastructure. Trump has vowed that, without a deal, Washington is “going to knock out every single power plant and every single bridge in […]
Ukraine war traps Oleshky residents
Residents of Oleshky, a frontline city in southern Ukraine, say they are struggling to survive as ongoing fighting and widespread landmines cut them off from basic supplies and safe escape routes. Speaking by phone, a resident identified as Ludmilla described a deteriorating situation, with limited access to food and medicine. According to multiple accounts, the city has been largely isolated for months, raising serious humanitarian concerns. Local officials have warned of a growing crisis. While some aid deliveries have reached the area through volunteers and humanitarian groups, they remain irregular and costly. For many of the roughly 2,000 people still in the city, basic items such as pasta and canned food have become essential staples, often sourced from abandoned homes. Leaving Oleshky is considered extremely dangerous. The main exit route—dubbed the “Road of Death”—is believed to be heavily mined, with […]
Princess of Wales to visit Italy after recovery
Catherine, Princess of Wales will travel to Reggio Emilia next week for her first official overseas engagement since undergoing cancer treatment. The two-day visit, scheduled for 13–14 May, will focus on her long-standing work in early childhood development. During the trip, she will explore the internationally recognised Reggio Emilia approach, which emphasises play-based learning, strong relationships and child-led development. According to Kensington Palace, the princess is “very much looking forward” to the visit. She is expected to meet educators, families, local officials and business leaders to better understand how the approach supports children’s growth. Her last official overseas engagement took place in December 2022, when she accompanied Prince William to Boston in the United States. The upcoming trip marks another step in her gradual return to public duties following cancer treatment. In January 2025, she confirmed she was in remission, […]
US pauses Hormuz shipping plan amid tensions
Donald Trump has announced a temporary halt to “Project Freedom,” a US-led initiative designed to help commercial ships navigate the blocked Strait of Hormuz. The plan, unveiled just days earlier, aimed to assist vessels stranded after Iran restricted access to the vital shipping route, insisting that passage required its approval. Trump described the effort as a humanitarian measure to support countries and companies caught in the disruption. However, escalating tensions quickly complicated the operation. Iranian forces reportedly targeted US naval assets, while US forces responded by engaging small boats seen as threats to commercial shipping. These incidents raised concerns about a potential breakdown of the fragile ceasefire between the two sides. Two days after launching the initiative, Trump said the US would pause the operation briefly to allow space for negotiations with Iran. He added that progress was being made […]
France launches one euro university meals for all students
From May 4, every enrolled student, including undergraduates, postgraduates, doctoral candidates and some recognised volunteers, can access the one euro meals at university canteens run by the Crous network. The usual price of a standard meal in these canteens is 3.30 euros, meaning the state subsidises most of the cost. For one euro, students receive a three course meal, typically including a starter, main course and dessert. French authorities say the measure is designed to support students struggling with inflation, high rents and rising food prices. A student union survey cited by officials found that almost half of students had skipped meals for financial reasons, with nearly a quarter doing so several times a month. In 2024, around 667,000 students benefited from the one euro scheme when it was still restricted, with about 46.7 million meals served at both the […]
Samsung family completes record inheritance tax
The family behind South Korean conglomerate Samsung has completed payment of a record inheritance tax bill totaling 12 trillion won (about $8bn), marking the largest such settlement in the history of South Korea. Chairman Lee Jae-yong, along with family members including his mother Hong Ra-hee and sisters Lee Boo-jin and Lee Seo-hyun, paid the amount in six installments over five years. The tax obligation stems from the estate of former chairman Lee Kun-hee, who died in October 2020. His fortune was estimated at around 26 trillion won, including shares, real estate and valuable art collections. Samsung confirmed that the final installment has now been paid, with the total amount equivalent to roughly one and a half times South Korea’s total inheritance tax revenue for 2024. With a tax rate of about 50%, the country maintains one of the highest inheritance […]
Be the first to leave a comment