00:00Three people have been evacuated from a cruise ship off the coast of Cape Verde, amid an outbreak of hantavirus
00:07on board.
00:08The patients are now on their way to the Netherlands for treatment.
00:12Three passengers have already died and several others are seriously ill.
00:18Hantavirus is usually transmitted by contaminated rodent droppings,
00:22but health authorities in South Africa and Switzerland have identified a strain that can be transmitted between humans.
00:30For now, the Dutch-flagged Hondias is moored in the Atlantic, waiting to head to the Canary Islands.
00:37On Tuesday, the Spanish government said it would receive the vessel after a request from the World Health Organization.
00:43The island's regional governor opposed the offer, citing public health concerns,
00:48but Madrid insists it will ultimately make the call.
00:52The Andes strain of the virus, believed to be behind the outbreak, is found in South America, primarily in Chile.
01:00And Argentina, where the week's long Atlantic cruise originated on April 1st.
01:05And when it comes to Emirates
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