A British individual who left the hantavirus cruise ship early is currently unaccounted for as health authorities work to locate the person. Among seven British passengers who disembarked from the MV Hondius midway through the voyage, one woman passed away later on.

Upon docking at the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena, a total of 29 individuals exited the ship, including a Dutch woman who fell ill during subsequent travel and eventually died. The deceased woman was accompanying her deceased husband’s body, being repatriated after his death onboard the ship on April 11.

The UK Health Security Agency spokesperson has confirmed that out of the seven Britons, two are currently self-isolating in the UK, four remain in St Helena, and efforts are ongoing to locate the missing person. Tracing and contact management advice are being provided by health officials for the passengers still in St Helena.

A total of 30 passengers from 12 different nations disembarked in St Helena, with 19 British nationals initially listed as passengers on the MV Hondius, alongside four British crew members. Two British individuals have been medically evacuated, including crew member Martin Anstee, 56, who received specialized medical care in the Netherlands after being airlifted off the vessel.

Another British passenger, believed to be a 69-year-old man, was medically evacuated to South Africa on April 27 and is currently receiving treatment at a private health facility in Sandton, Johannesburg. British passengers aboard the ship have been advised by UK health experts to self-isolate in the UK for 45 days, with reassurances from Professor Robin May of the UK Health Security Agency that the risk to the broader public not directly involved in the cruise is minimal.