A second British national has developed symptoms of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, Downing Street confirmed today, as the UK government coordinates with Dutch authorities to bring affected passengers ashore.
The Government is putting “plans in place” for the onward travel of Britons stuck aboard the cruise ship, the Prime Minister said, adding his thoughts are with those affected.
The Dutch-flagged vessel remains anchored off Cape Verde following the deaths of three passengers from the rare rodent-transmitted disease.
Medical teams wearing protective equipment have now boarded the stricken ship to evacuate those infected with the potentially fatal virus.
Medics have boarded the MV Hondius
|GETTY
More than 20 British passengers remain stranded on the vessel, unable to leave since Sunday when authorities imposed a disembarkation ban following the fatalities.
The ship's operator confirmed that those who died included a Dutch married couple and a German national.
Supplies have been transported to the isolated cruise liner as it waits off the West African archipelago.
The World Health Organisation has indicated that limited person-to-person transmission may be occurring among individuals in close contact aboard the confined vessel.
Health officials have identified seven cases in total on the vessel, with two infections confirmed through laboratory testing.
Among those verified is a British national now receiving treatment in South Africa, alongside a Dutch woman who died on 27 April after being taken off the ship.
Five further suspected infections remain under investigation.
The expedition voyage set sail from Argentina on 1 April, heading for Cape Verde.
Authorities believe the initial infections were contracted before passengers embarked on the cruise.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
One British passenger remains in a critical condition in intensive care, while a fellow Briton serving as crew requires urgent medical attention and is among those being removed from the ship.
Number 10 confirmed the UK is working alongside the Dutch government to evacuate affected individuals to dry land.
The Foreign Office described the situation as "a deeply worrying time for all those onboard the MV Hondius and the families of those affected by the hantavirus outbreak".
Consular teams from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have been deployed across multiple countries to support British nationals caught up in the crisis.
Staff in the UK, South Africa, Spain and Portugal are liaising continuously with international partners and the cruise operator.
FCDO personnel remain in contact with relatives of the hospitalised British man in South Africa.
Once the two infected passengers have been removed, the MV Hondius will continue its journey to the Canary Islands. The WHO maintains that the outbreak poses minimal danger to the wider public.
Authorities are adamant that the outbreak poses minimal danger to the wider public
|GETTY
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has responded to the hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship.
In a statement posted on X, he said: "My thoughts are with those affected by the hantavirus outbreak onboard the MV Hondius.
"We are working closely with international partners to support British nationals on board and we’re putting plans in place for their safe onward travel.
"The risk to the wider public remains very low - protecting the British people is our number one priority."
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter