A cruise ship with nearly 150 people aboard was waiting for help off the coast of Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday after three passengers died and at least three other people were left seriously ill in a suspected outbreak of the rare hantavirus, according to the World Health Organization and the ship\u2019s operator.<\/p>\n
Footage obtained by The Associated Press of a cruise ship<\/a> at the center of the rare-virus outbreak<\/a> shows deserted decks and gathering areas, medical teams in protective gear, and a still landscape ahead as the vessel and its nearly 150 passengers and crew waited another day off the coast of West Africa.<\/p>\n \u201cOur days have been close to normal, just waiting for authorities to find a solution,\u201d passenger Qasem Elhato, 31 \u2014 who sent AP the video footage \u2014 said via WhatsApp. \u201cBut morale on the ship is high and we\u2019re keeping ourselves busy with reading, watching movies, having hot drinks and that kind of things.\u201d<\/p>\n Helene Goessaert, another passenger, told Belgian broadcaster VRT that everyone on board is \u201cin the same boat, literally.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t embark on a trip with the idea that one of your fellow passengers won\u2019t make it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe receive information at regular intervals. It is accurate. For the rest, it is a waiting game,\u201d she added. \u201cToday we received fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. That was very important to us.\u201d<\/p>\n