British passengers returning from a cruise ship struck by a deadly outbreak of hantavirus will be asked to self-isolate in the UK for 45 days, a health official has said. Two Britons who left the MV Hondius before the outbreak was detected are already self-isolating at home and are not reporting symptoms, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The UKHSA is arranging support, isolation and monitoring for British nationals from the ship on their return. A charter flight is being organised for those who do not display symptoms once the vessel docks in Tenerife. A British crew member was medically evacuated to the Netherlands for specialist care.
Three people on the MV Hondius have died since 11 April, with eight suspected cases of hantavirus and three confirmed by laboratory testing. The outbreak has been linked to a birdwatching expedition in Argentina before boarding. The virus, carried by rodents, is rare but can be fatal.
Dr Meera Chand, deputy director at UKHSA, said the risk to the general public remains very low. Contact tracing is under way to limit onward transmission. None of the British nationals still on board are reporting symptoms, but they are being closely monitored. The ship, which sailed from Argentina to Cape Verde, carried 150 passengers including 19 Britons and four British crew.
