Reports indicate that individuals are suspected of contracting hantavirus in 13 nations spanning four continents following the departure of the MV Hondius cruise ship from Argentina.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has disclosed that two British citizens have tested positive for hantavirus, with an additional suspected case of a British national on Tristan da Cunha.
The individual in question remains on the remote South Atlantic island, while the other two British nationals are hospitalized in the Netherlands and South Africa.
A total of 29 individuals disembarked from the cruise ship MV Hondius, including seven Britons, when it made a stop in St Helena on April 24. Tragically, a Dutch woman fell ill during subsequent travel and passed away. The hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise has claimed the lives of three individuals in total.
UKHSA has mentioned that currently, none of the British passengers aboard the ship, now en route to Tenerife, are showing symptoms, but they are under close observation.
According to the World Health Organisation, health authorities only confirmed the presence of hantavirus in a passenger on the ship on May 2.
Authorities in several countries, including South Africa, Singapore, and the Netherlands, are actively tracing passengers who were on board the vessel. The first two cases, a Dutch couple, had traveled through Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay before embarking on the ship.
The UKHSA has stated that the ship is scheduled to dock in Tenerife on Sunday, as per updates from the Spanish health ministry. They have assured that UK Government personnel will be available to assist British nationals upon disembarkation.
Furthermore, a dedicated repatriation flight is being arranged for passengers and crew, with continued support from Foreign Office officials and UKHSA teams.
Despite the situation, the WHO has stressed that the risk to the general public is low, as hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contaminated rodent droppings and does not easily spread among humans.
Dr. Abdirahman Mahamud, the WHO’s alert and response director, expressed confidence that with proper public health measures and international cooperation, the outbreak can be contained.
All British passengers and crew are advised to self-isolate for 45 days upon their return to the UK and will be closely monitored by UKHSA officials.
Efforts are underway to track down individuals who may have been in contact with confirmed cases and ensure their well-being, whether in the UK or UK Overseas Territories.
Recent reports indicate that two Britons are currently self-isol