Two Britons who returned from hantavirus infected cruise ship told to self-isolate as 'risk to public remains low'

WATCH: Swiss officials confirm a Swiss hospital is treating a case of Hantavirus

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GB NEWS

George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 06/05/2026

- 20:44

Updated: 06/05/2026

- 21:16

Wes Streeting said Labour is taking the outbreak 'incredibly seriously'

Two people who returned to the UK from the cruise ship that was hit by a hantavirus outbreak have been told to self-isolate.

The UK Health Security Agency added that "the risk to general public remains very low".


Officials added that neither of the two individuals who have been asked to self-isolate had reported symptoms.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the Government was taking the hantavirus outbreak "incredibly seriously".

A UKHSA spokesman said: "They are receiving advice and support from UKHSA and have been advised to self-isolate.

"UKHSA are supporting a small number of individuals identified as close contacts of those on the boat.

"They are being offered support and are also self-isolating. None are reporting any symptoms. The risk to the general public remains very low."

The statement continued: "UKHSA is working closely with the FCDO, the Home Office, and Border Force to trace further individuals who may have been on the same flight as a confirmed case, in order to carry out public health risk assessments and ensure appropriate precautionary measures are in place."

Mr Streeting added: "The outbreak of Hantavirus on the MV Hondius will be worrying many.

"The Government are taking this incredibly seriously and are working urgently to support the British nationals involved.

"We are working across DHSC, UKHSA and the FCDO to ensure all those affected get home safely."

\u200bA drone view of the cruise ship MV Hondius,

MV Hondius was carrying passengers suspected of having cases of hantavirus on board

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REUTERS

Deputy director for epidemic and emerging infections at UKHSA Dr Meera Chand said: "Our thoughts are with all those affected by the hantavirus outbreak onboard the MV Hondius.

"It’s important to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains very low.

"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.

"UKHSA will continue to work closely with government partners to offer all necessary support."

MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape VerdeThe outbreak occurred on board MV Hondius | GETTY

Around 19 Britons were listed as passengers on the cruise, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde, with four British crew members.

A row erupted after the president of the Canary Islands expressed concern over the ship docking in Tenerife.

In an update posted online, Spanish health authorities said that the ship is expected to arrive within 72 to 96 hours.

Officials said that passengers will be disembarked in a "controlled" way with "direct transfer from the port to the airport and subsequent return to their countries of origin, avoiding at all times transit through spaces open to the general population".

\u200bWorld Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the public risk remains low

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GETTY

Director General of the WHO Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: "Three suspected hantavirus case patients have just been evacuated from the ship and are on their way to receive medical care in the Netherlands in co-ordination with WHO, the ship’s operator and national authorities from Cabo Verde, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands.

"WHO continues to work with the ship’s operators to closely monitor the health of passengers and crew, working with countries to support appropriate medical follow-up and evacuation where needed.

"Monitoring and follow-up for passengers on board and for those who have already disembarked has been initiated in collaboration with the ship’s operators and national health authorities.

"At this stage, the overall public health risk remains low."