New suspected hantavirus case reported in UKs remote island region

UK Confirms Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship and Suspected Case on Tristan da Cunha Island

The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed two British cases linked to a 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 vessel is expected to dock in Tenerife soon.

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

The World Health Organization has stated that global risk remains low, despite the Andean strain identified in some cases potentially spreading between people. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO director of epidemic and pandemic management, emphasized that this is a distinct virus from coronavirus.

Health officials have contacted passengers from at least 12 countries who left the ship earlier in April as part of tracing efforts. Monitoring is underway across multiple regions, including the US and Singapore, where returning travelers are being tracked or tested despite showing no symptoms.

US authorities have begun tracking individuals who were on the ship, with health departments in Georgia and Arizona monitoring returning residents who remain asymptomatic. Other states, such as California and Texas, have also identified passengers linked to the voyage.

Source: Al Jazeera