Ask Onix
Third British passenger shows hantavirus symptoms
The UK government announced on Friday that a third British national aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship is suspected of contracting hantavirus. The individual is currently on the remote Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, where the vessel made a stop in mid-April.
Confirmed cases and evacuations
Two other British men have tested positive for the virus. One remains hospitalized in stable condition in the Netherlands after being airlifted from the ship on Wednesday. The second, a 69-year-old passenger, was flown to South Africa last month and remains in intensive care, though officials report his condition is improving.
A total of five hantavirus cases have been confirmed among passengers and crew, including one fatality. The deceased was one of three individuals who died during the outbreak; however, only one death has been directly linked to the virus.
Ship's arrival and passenger repatriation
The MV Hondius is scheduled to dock in the Canary Islands this weekend. UK authorities have arranged a chartered flight to return the remaining British passengers and crew to the UK. Though none currently show symptoms, they will be required to self-isolate upon arrival.
Isolation and contact tracing efforts
Two British nationals are already self-isolating at home in the UK after potential exposure. They are part of a group of 30 passengers from 12 countries who disembarked at St Helena on April 24. Four other Britons remain on the island under observation, with medical staff expected to arrive soon to provide support.
Health officials in multiple countries, including Switzerland and the Netherlands, are conducting contact tracing for dozens of passengers who left the ship before the outbreak was detected. UK health authorities are likely to impose a 45-day isolation period for returning passengers.
Origin and transmission concerns
The source of the outbreak remains unknown, and it is unclear whether individuals outside the ship's passengers and crew have been infected. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the incident as serious but emphasized that the public risk is low, distinguishing it from the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus noted that the first two confirmed cases had visited sites in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay where rodents known to carry hantavirus are present. Experts believe the virus may have spread between humans in close contact, though such transmission is rare.
Symptoms and precautions
Hantavirus symptoms typically appear two to four weeks after exposure and include fever, extreme fatigue, stomach pain, vomiting, and shortness of breath. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that the virus is not transmitted through casual contact but requires prolonged and close exposure.
"Supplies of the virus are not spread through everyday activities like walking in public spaces," a UKHSA spokesperson said.
