The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that two individuals who returned to the United Kingdom after being aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which experienced a severe hantavirus outbreak, have been instructed to self-isolate. The agency emphasised that the overall risk to the general public remains extremely low.
Government Response and Support
Government officials have stated that they are working urgently to assist British nationals affected by the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship. The MV Hondius had been travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde when the outbreak occurred, resulting in three deaths and several illnesses among passengers and crew.
British Nationals on Board
According to records, 19 British nationals were listed as passengers on the cruise, in addition to four British crew members. Among those who have fallen ill in the suspected outbreak are two Britons: one passenger and one crew member. The outbreak has been associated with three fatalities, though further details have not yet been disclosed.
The UKHSA continues to monitor the situation closely and has advised anyone who may have been in contact with affected individuals to follow public health guidelines. The agency reiterated that the likelihood of widespread transmission within the UK is minimal.
