Britons face 45-day isolation after hantavirus cruise outbreak
Two Britons are currently isolating in the UK after possible hantavirus exposure on MV Hondius, as the outbreak death toll reaches three.
Two British people are self-isolating at home in the UK after possible exposure to hantavirus on a cruise ship where three people have died.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the pair had left the MV Hondius at St Helena in late April and returned via Johannesburg. They had no symptoms but contacted health officials after learning of cases on board.
British passengers still onboard will be asked to self-isolate in the UK for 45 days, a health official said.
“It’s important to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains very low,” said Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director for Epidemic and Emerging Infections at UKHSA.
“We are standing up arrangements to support, isolate and monitor British nationals from the ship on their return to the UK and we are contact-tracing anyone who may have been in contact with the ship or the hantavirus cases to limit the risk of onward transmission.”
“The Government are taking this incredibly seriously and are working urgently to support the British nationals involved,” wrote Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health & Social Care. “We are working across DHSC, UKHSA and the FCDO to ensure all those affected get home safely.”
A 56-year-old British man was evacuated from the vessel on Wednesday and is in a stable condition. Two other evacuees were Dutch and German.
About 150 people remain on the ship under strict precautionary measures, including 19 British passengers and four British crew members. Spanish authorities have allowed the vessel to dock in Tenerife, where passengers are expected to disembark.
The World Health Organization says the wider public risk is low, with human-to-human transmission and linked to close contact. UKHSA says the risk to the UK population is “very low”.
GOING FURTHER
Britons on hantavirus-hit ship to be asked to isolate back in UK for 45 days | The Guardian
UKHSA update on the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak | UKHSA
Two Britons self-isolating in UK after leaving hantavirus cruise ship | BBC NEWS
Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country | WHO
The Latest: Cruise ship hantavirus patients arrive in Europe for treatment | Associated Press
Three evacuated from hantavirus-hit ship as Spain says vessel can dock | The Guardian
Cruise ship hantavirus latest: British tour guide speaks to Sky News from hospital after evacuation | Sky News
Sources:
▪ This piece was first published in Europeans TODAY on 7 May 2026.
▪ Cover: Dreamstime/KORWEN.
