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Stricken cruise ship marooned as deadly rat-borne virus spreads
A rat-borne virus that broke out aboard a cruise ship off the coast of Cape Verde, West Africa, is now suspected to have spread to seven people, according to reports.
The World Health Organization, or WHO, confirmed two cases and suspects five others aboard the MV Hondius cruise. Of them, one patient who is critically ill and three others with mild symptoms. Three people have already died.
The dead include two senior Dutch passengers and a German national.
The Dutch cruise ship paused its weeks-long journey to Argentina, Antarctica and other islands in the South Atlantic, and has been waiting for help after Cape Verde authorities denied passengers the right to disembark due to public health concerns, reports The Seattle Times and The Associated Press.
According to the Daily Beast, the outbreak began between April 6 and April 28. Symptoms include fever and gastrointestinal issues. In severe cases, it can result in pneumonia, respiratory failure and shock.
The WHO said passengers were asked to stay in their cabins and, “limit their risk while disinfection and other measures are being taken,” according to The Seattle Times and AP.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the Hantavirus has a high fatality rate, adding that it's typically transmitted to humans through exposure to rodent feces.
The Daily Beast reported that, although most strains do not spread between people, a rare variant found in parts of Argentina and Chile’s Andes has shown otherwise.
“We do know that some of the cases had very close contact with each other and certainly human-to-human transmission can’t be ruled out so, as a precaution, this is what we are assuming,” Dr. Maria Van Kerhove, WHO’s Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and prevention, said.
Van Kerhove added, “The risk to the general public is low.”
The Seattle Times and AP reported authorities in Cape Verde sent teams of doctors, surgeons, nurses and laboratory specialists to provide the vessel with medical support.
“The outbreak is being managed through coordinated international response, and includes in-depth investigations, case isolation and care, medical evacuation and laboratory investigations,” said a WHO representative.
Trump frantically backtracks on core policy as beef prices skyrocket to record highs
President Donald Trump's administration will reportedly suspend some tariffs on beef amid record-high prices.
On Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported that the highest tariff "on all beef-exporting nations" would be temporarily dismantled.
The Small Business Administration was also expected to increase access to loans and capital for U.S. ranchers, the report said. The effort will reportedly include reducing protections for gray and Mexican wolves under the Endangered Species Act. Regulations on electronic ear tags for livestock would also be loosened.
Beef prices in the United States have reached record highs, driven by a combination of factors including drought conditions affecting cattle ranching, supply chain disruptions, and increased feed costs. The surge in beef prices has hit American consumers hard, with ground beef and steaks commanding premium prices at grocery stores nationwide, forcing many families to reduce their meat consumption or seek alternative protein sources.
Ranchers have culled their herds in response to prolonged drought and rising operational costs, which have constrained the overall supply of beef available to markets. Industry analysts point to climate challenges, particularly severe drought conditions in major cattle-producing states such as Texas and the Southwest, as a primary driver of reduced herd sizes and elevated prices.
The combination of supply constraints and strong consumer demand has created a perfect storm, driving beef prices to levels not seen in recent memory and raising concerns about inflation and the cost of living for American households already struggling with elevated grocery bills.
Red state GOP moves to throw out votes already cast without telling voters: report
Alabama GOP lawmakers moved to toss out votes already cast for its May 19 primary amid a gerrymandering push without notifying voters of the changes.
According to reporting on Tuesday by Democracy Docket, the Alabama lawmakers began taking votes on Tuesday to change the congressional and state senate maps as a primary election is underway. The legislation in front of state lawmakers would allow the state to nullify votes already cast in some of the congressional races and later hold special elections under the new maps, the Democracy Docket reported.
Alabama lawmakers have also shot down efforts to let voters know about the changes. Democratic State Sen. Vivian Davis Figures lost an effort to pass an amendment to notify Alabama voters about the changes.
"Thank you to all of my colleagues for showing me once again who you are," she said, according to Democracy Docket.
Republican state Rep. Chris Pringle, the sponsor of a congressional redistricting bill, declined to explain to Alabama voters why the Legislature is making these changes, telling his lawmakers, "I'm not an attorney," per Democracy Docket. Similarly, GOP state Sen. Chris Elliot, a sponsor for a state senate redistricting bill, was accused of confusing Alabama voters, Democracy Docket reported.
