Trump declares hantavirus 'under control' as WHO tracks Cape Verde cruise outbreak
President Trump said the hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius is 'under control,' while the WHO continues to monitor incubation patterns on the cruise ship anchored off Cape Verde.
Speaking to reporters in the White House garden, Trump said: 'Our health team is doing a fantastic job — every passenger on board is safe.' The CDC said it is monitoring twelve US citizens who have already returned home from the vessel.
The World Health Organisation took a more cautious tone. At a Geneva briefing, spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said: 'Of the 86 cases identified so far, four are severe; a sixteen-day surveillance window aboard the ship continues.' Cape Verde's health ministry said daily medical supplies are being shipped to the MV Hondius at the port of Mindelo.
Global cruise stocks reacted sharply: Carnival fell 3.4% on Friday and Royal Caribbean lost 2.1%. A Johns Hopkins industry analysis notes that long-incubation zoonotic outbreaks are now formally on the top-risk list for international tour operators.
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