New suspected hantavirus case reported in UK on remote island location

UK Confirms Cases on Cruise Ship and Suspected Infection on Tristan da Cunha Island

The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed two British cases linked to a growing hantavirus outbreak on board the MV Hondius, a cruise ship currently en route to the Spanish island of Tenerife. Additionally, a suspected infection has been identified among a British national on the remote South Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha.

According to officials, three people have died after contracting the virus during the voyage, with five confirmed infections and several additional suspected cases under investigation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that global risk remains low, despite the Andean strain identified in some cases potentially spreading between people.

Health authorities are monitoring a growing number of passengers from at least 12 countries who left the ship earlier this month. Tracing efforts have been initiated across multiple regions, including the United States and Singapore, where returning travelers are being tracked or tested for symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has assessed the risk to the public as extremely low and is closely monitoring developments. Health departments in several states, including Georgia and Arizona, have also identified passengers linked to the voyage.

Passengers who remain asymptomatic will be flown back to the UK and asked to isolate for 45 days as a precautionary measure. Seven British nationals disembarked earlier in St Helena, with two already isolating on the mainland, four remaining on the island, and one being traced outside the country.

Source: Al Jazeera