Authorities have confirmed that a third British national has contracted hantavirus on the world's most remote inhabited island, Tristan da Cunha, which has a population of just 250 people. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that while two British nationals had previously confirmed cases, there is now an additional suspected case involving a British national on the island.
Seven Brits disembarked the luxury MV Hondius cruise ship, which is at the centre of the rat virus outbreak, on the neighbouring remote island of St Helena on April 24. However, it is believed that this third British national was not among those seven. The cruise ship operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, reported that the first case of the deadly virus was not confirmed until May 4.
The luxury cruise, which departed from Argentina, made several stops, including Tristan da Cunha, a British Overseas Territory, on April 13. To date, three people on the MV Hondius have died: an elderly Dutch couple and a German woman. A 70-year-old Dutch man was the first fatality on April 11, with his body removed from the vessel on April 24 in St Helena. His 69-year-old wife deteriorated during a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, and died upon arrival at an emergency department on April 26. A German woman also died, while a British passenger remains in critical condition after being evacuated to South Africa.
Tristan da Cunha: A Remote Community
Tristan da Cunha, located in the South Atlantic Ocean, is home to just 250 people, has one pub, and no airport. It is more than 2,400 kilometres from the nearest inhabited island, St Helena, and 2,800 kilometres from South Africa. The island is also infested with invasive black rats, which cause devastation to local bird populations. As a result, the community holds an annual 'ratting day' where locals band together to hunt the rats.
Hantavirus Transmission and Outbreak
Hantavirus can spread from animals to humans through contact with infected rodents, their droppings, saliva, or urine. The current outbreak has been linked to a birdwatching trip in Argentina that two passengers undertook before boarding the ship. The UKHSA confirmed that none of the British citizens currently on board the ship are reporting symptoms, but they are being closely monitored. The ship is expected to dock on Sunday, with evacuations starting on Monday.
The UKHSA added: "UK Government staff will be on the ground ready to support the British nationals disembarking. British passengers and ship crew not displaying any symptoms of hantavirus will be escorted by UK Government staff to an airport and given free passage back to the UK."
Despite these plans, the president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, protested the move, stating: "I cannot allow [the boat] to enter the Canaries." Workers at the port in Tenerife, where the vessel is expected to dock, have also protested against its arrival.
