A third British citizen has been identified as a suspected hantavirus case linked to an outbreak on a cruise ship, according to health authorities.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) previously confirmed two cases involving British nationals, who are currently receiving medical care in the Netherlands and South Africa. Now, a third case has emerged on Tristan da Cunha, a remote island in the South Atlantic, where the patient is currently located.
This outbreak, associated with the cruise ship MV Hondius, has resulted in three fatalities. The World Health Organization has cautioned that additional hantavirus cases may surface, although they believe the outbreak can be contained with appropriate measures.
The situation surrounding the MV Hondius has sparked international concern, leading to urgent efforts to understand and trace the spread of this potentially fatal human-to-human strain of hantavirus.
The UKHSA reports that none of the British nationals still aboard the ship, which is en route to Tenerife, are currently exhibiting symptoms. Nonetheless, they are under close observation as a precaution.
The islands of St Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha are situated in the South Atlantic Ocean, equidistant from Africa and South America. On April 24, when the MV Hondius docked at St Helena, 29 passengers disembarked, including seven British citizens. Among them was a Dutch woman who fell ill during her subsequent travels and later passed away.
The ship is expected to dock in Tenerife on Sunday, according to the latest updates from the Spanish health ministry.
The UKHSA said: “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 would 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. Public health and infectious disease specialists from UKHSA and the NHS will be onboard to monitor British nationals whilst on the flight, to ensure that preventative measures are in place and to provide any care in the unlikely event that any passengers become unwell on the flight.”
All British passengers and crew from the ship are being asked to isolate for 45 days after returning to the UK, with close monitoring by health officials. The UKHSA said: “Follow-up is already under way for individuals who may have been in contact with cases and have since returned to the UK or are in UK overseas territories.”
