The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that two British nationals medically evacuated from a hantavirus-affected cruise ship are showing signs of improvement. A 69-year-old British man was airlifted to South Africa on April 27 and is receiving care at a private facility in Sandton, Johannesburg. Another Briton, Martin Anstee, aged 56, was taken off the MV Hondius on Wednesday and flown to the Netherlands for specialist treatment.
WHO Provides Update on Patients
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove of the WHO confirmed that two patients, including a Briton, remain hospitalised in the Netherlands, while another Briton is in intensive care in South Africa. She stated, “I am very happy to say the patient in South Africa is doing better, and the two patients in the Netherlands we hear are stable. So that is actually very good news.” The WHO noted that morale on board has improved since the ship began its journey to Tenerife.
Medical Response and Risk Assessment
Two doctors, along with infectious disease experts from the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), are conducting medical assessments of everyone on board. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised that while the public health risk is low, more cases may emerge due to the Andes virus incubation period of up to six weeks. “Given the incubation period of the Andes virus, which can be up to six weeks, it’s possible that more cases may be reported,” he said.
Passenger Disembarkation and Isolation
Earlier, seven British passengers disembarked from the ship in St Helena, along with a Dutch woman who later died. A total of 29 people left the vessel there, including the body of a man who died on April 11. Tour operator Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed that 30 guests disembarked in St Helena from 12 nations. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is monitoring the situation, and two Britons who returned to the UK via Johannesburg are self-isolating at home. UK health experts recommend a 45-day isolation period for British passengers.
Charter Flight and Ongoing Monitoring
The Foreign Office is arranging a charter flight to repatriate asymptomatic Britons once the ship docks in Tenerife. None of the British citizens on board are currently reporting symptoms, but they are closely monitored. Professor Robin May of UKHSA stated, “For the broader public, not directly involved in this cruise ship, the risk here is really negligible.” Contact tracing is underway for those who may have sat near the two returnees on their flight.
Origin of Outbreak and Ship Movement
The outbreak, linked to three deaths, is believed to have originated from a birdwatching expedition in Argentina that two passengers attended before boarding. Spanish authorities have permitted the ship to dock in the Canary Islands. The MV Hondius left Cape Verde on Wednesday evening and is expected to arrive in Tenerife in three to four days. Three patients were evacuated to the Netherlands, including Martin Anstee, who said from hospital, “I’m doing OK. I’m not feeling too bad.” His wife Nicola described the ordeal as “very traumatic,” adding that he is stable but the virus can deteriorate quickly.
