US Defends Sinking Of Hantavirus-Hit Ship

THE UNITED States has defended its decision to sink the MV Hondius, the Dutch-operated cruise ship that was anchored off the coast of Cape Verde with 149 people on board following a deadly hantavirus outbreak, describing the action as “proportionate.”

“The last thing the world needs right now is another pandemic the president doesn’t believe is real, and we need a distraction from Iran – this was the perfect option,” said a Pentagon spokesperson at a press briefing on Tuesday. “President Trump made the brave decision to sink it. Let’s move on now and count our blessings – the hantavirus is now at the bottom of the Atlantic and we’re up here hantavirus-free.”

The World Health Organization later criticised the torpedoing of the civilian ship, killing almost everyone on board, stating the outbreak did not represent a broader public health threat.

“Look, what would we know anyway, we’re just the World Health Organization. Take us or leave us.”

The US, which had 17 nationals on board, said it had acted out of an abundance of caution, much like it does when it sees any boat leaving South America that looks remotely suspicious.

“You can’t be too careful when it comes to these things,” the spokesperson said. “Could we have explored other options? Probably. But Mr Trump had to make the call quickly as he was on the 18th hole and one under par.”

Cape Verde, which had refused the ship entry to port on health grounds, confirmed that it was now monitoring several survivors currently fighting for their lives in the Atlantic.

“Given the cold sea temperatures right now, hopefully they should succumb to hypothermia soon,” a Cape Verde coastguard spokesperson said, watching on with a pair of binoculars.