Third Briton has suspected hantavirus linked to cruise ship outbreak

"A third British national has been diagnosed with suspected hantavirus linked to a cruise ship outbreak, health officials have said. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) had already confirmed two cases among British nationals, who are in hospitals in the Netherlands and South Africa. It said a third has been reported on the south Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, where the patient remains."

"The outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius has killed three people and the World Health Organization has warned more hantavirus cases could emerge, though officials said they expected the outbreak to be limited if precautions were taken. The fate of the Hondius has prompted international alarm and a scramble to trace the outbreak of the potentially deadly human-to-human strain."

"The UKHSA said none of the British citizens still onboard the ship, which is now travelling to Tenerife, were reporting symptoms. But they are being closely monitored. The islands of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha all lie in the south Atlantic ocean, midway between Africa and South America. A total of 29 people left the Hondius including seven Britons when it docked in St Helena on 24 April, including a Dutch woman who became unwell during onward travel and died."

"UK government staff will be on the ground ready to support the British nationals disembarking. British passengers and ship crew not displaying any symptoms of hantavirus will be escorted by UK government staff to an airport and given free passage back to the UK. It said Foreign Office officials and UKHSA teams will continue to support passengers, with a dedicated repatriation flight being organised for them and crew. The organisation added: UKHSA is working with partners to ensure the flight operates under strict infection control measures."

A third British national has been diagnosed with suspected hantavirus connected to the cruise ship MV Hondius. Two earlier cases among British nationals were confirmed, with patients in hospitals in the Netherlands and South Africa. The third case was reported on Tristan da Cunha, where the patient remains. The outbreak has killed three people, and the World Health Organization warned additional cases could appear, though officials expected the outbreak to remain limited with precautions. The ship’s route has raised concern about a potentially deadly human-to-human strain, prompting efforts to trace contacts. None of the remaining British citizens onboard reported symptoms, but they are being monitored. UK government staff will support disembarkation in Tenerife, escort symptom-free passengers and crew to an airport, and arrange a repatriation flight under strict infection control measures.

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