Irish passengers on virus-hit cruise safe and well, says Helen McEntee

The MV Hondius cruise ship anchored at a port near Cape Verde on Wednesday. Picture: Misper Apawu/AP

Two Irish people on board a virus-hit cruise ship are “safe and well”, according to foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee.

Three people in total have died linked to an outbreak of hantavirus on the MV Hondius.

The outbreak has been connected to a birdwatching expedition in Argentina, which two of the passengers went on before boarding the ship.

The MV Hondius (Misper Apawu/AP)

Speaking in Armagh on Friday, Ms McEntee said: "In terms of the two Irish passengers, I am pleased to say that they are safe and well.”

She said her team has been “engaging directly with them” and with the HSE to see what measures “would need to be taken when they do get home”.

Ms McEntee added: “But obviously the priority is to make sure that they can get home as quickly as possible, and we’re working with them and engaging with them.”

It is a “very difficult situation” for the families of those who have died, Ms McEntee said, “and for all of those on board”.

The boat left Cape Verde on Wednesday and is expected to arrive at a port in Tenerife in the early hours of Sunday, but this is subject to change.

Experts believe the incubation period for the virus in the human body can extend to six weeks.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is not expecting the outbreak to be an epidemic.