Suspected hantavirus cases have been reported in 13 countries across four continents, stemming from the MV Hondius cruise ship that set sail from Argentina. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), two British nationals have been confirmed to have hantavirus, with an additional suspected case of a British national on Tristan da Cunha.

The patient remains on the remote South Atlantic island, while the other two British nationals are hospitalised in the Netherlands and South Africa. On April 24, 29 people, including seven Britons, disembarked the cruise ship when it docked in St Helena, including a Dutch woman who fell ill during onward travel and subsequently died.

Three people have lost their lives in connection with the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship. The UKHSA has assured that none of the British citizens currently on board the ship, which is now en route to Tenerife, are exhibiting symptoms, but they are being closely monitored.

It was not until May 2 that health authorities confirmed the first case of hantavirus in a passenger on the ship, according to the World Health Organisation. Authorities in countries such as South Africa, Singapore, and the Netherlands are now tracing passengers who were on board the vessel.

The Dutch couple, who were the first two confirmed cases, had travelled through Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay before boarding the ship, as reported by the WHO. A statement from the UKHSA has confirmed that the ship is due to dock in Tenerife on Sunday, as per the latest updates from the Spanish health ministry, reports the Mirror.

The statement read: “UK Government staff will be on the ground ready to support the British nationals disembarking. British passengers and ship crew not displaying any symptoms of hantavirus will be escorted by UK Government staff to an airport and given free passage back to the UK.”

The Foreign Office officials and UKHSA teams will continue to provide support to passengers, with a dedicated repatriation flight being organised for passengers and crew.

The WHO has reassured that the risk to the general public remains low. Hantavirus is typically contracted through inhaling contaminated rodent droppings and does not spread easily between humans.

“We believe this will be a limited outbreak if the public health measures are implemented and solidarity is shown across all countries,” stated Dr. Abdirahman Mahamud, the WHO’s alert and response director, on Thursday.

All British passengers and crew from the ship are being advised to isolate for 45 days upon their return to the UK, under close monitoring by UKHSA officials.

Read More: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/hantavirus-mapped-rat-disease-cruise-37131662