**
Two British nationals who were evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship, which has been impacted by a hantavirus outbreak, are reportedly showing improvement in their respective medical facilities. This development comes as the vessel, which has been at the centre of health concerns, continues its journey toward Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
Health Status Update
The first patient, a 69-year-old British man, was airlifted to a private hospital in Sandton, Johannesburg, on 27 April. He remains in intensive care but is said to be stabilising. In the Netherlands, expedition guide Martin Anstee, 56, was evacuated from the ship and is receiving specialised care. Dr Maria Van Kerkhove from the World Health Organization (WHO) provided a positive update, stating, “I am very happy to say the patient in South Africa is doing better, and the two patients in the Netherlands we hear are stable. So that is actually very good news.”
As of Thursday, there are eight suspected cases of hantavirus associated with this outbreak, with five confirmed through laboratory testing. The outbreak has tragically been linked to three fatalities and has connections to a birdwatching expedition in South America that some passengers undertook prior to boarding the cruise.
Ship’s Current Status
Despite concerns from local authorities in the Canary Islands, Spanish officials have permitted the MV Hondius to anchor there, following its departure from Cape Verde on Wednesday. The ship is expected to arrive at the port in Granadilla early Sunday morning.
The mood on board has reportedly improved since the vessel began its journey towards Tenerife. This change is attributed to the presence of two doctors and infectious disease specialists from WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, who are conducting health assessments of all passengers and crew.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, acknowledged that while the public health risk is currently low, there remains the potential for additional cases due to the incubation period of the Andes virus—an integral strain of hantavirus—which can extend up to six weeks. He emphasised, “While this is a serious incident, WHO assesses the public health risk as low.”
Precautionary Measures
In light of the outbreak, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is closely monitoring the situation. British passengers who disembarked the MV Hondius have been advised to self-isolate for 45 days as a precaution. Professor Robin May, chief scientific officer at the UKHSA, reiterated, “For the broader public, not directly involved in this cruise ship, the risk here is really negligible.”
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to repatriate British nationals who are symptom-free. The UK Foreign Office is organising a charter flight to facilitate the return of these individuals once the ship docks in Tenerife.
Ongoing Investigations
As investigations into the outbreak continue, it has been reported that seven British passengers were among those who left the MV Hondius when it docked at the remote island of Saint Helena. Among them was a Dutch woman who became ill during her onward journey and sadly passed away.
Additionally, a flight attendant in Amsterdam, who had contact with the deceased woman, has now reported symptoms, prompting further health assessments. The UKHSA has actively reached out to all British passengers who left the ship on 24 April to ensure their well-being.
Why it Matters
The evacuation and ongoing health evaluations of passengers from the MV Hondius underscore the critical need for rapid response protocols in the face of infectious disease outbreaks. As global travel resumes, the incident highlights the importance of vigilant health monitoring and the coordination of international health authorities to mitigate the risks associated with contagious diseases. Understanding and responding to such outbreaks is vital not only for public health but also for restoring confidence in travel and tourism industries worldwide.
