Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak: UK Plans Charter Evacuation for Citizens, Requires Isolation Upon Return
An outbreak of Hantavirus has occurred on the cruise ship MV Hondius. The UK government plans to arrange charter flights to evacuate British citizens who are asymptomatic, requiring them to undergo a 6-week isolation period upon their return. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) emphasizes that the risk to the British public remains "very low" while coordinating with international partners to manage the situation and prevent further spread.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 09:18
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yun-yu, London, 6th exclusive report) Following a Hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship "MV Hondius," the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced today that the government plans to arrange charter flights to evacuate British passengers back to the UK, provided they are asymptomatic and agree to isolation and monitoring upon arrival.
According to the plan, if British passengers remain asymptomatic when the "MV Hondius" docks at its next destination, they will, in principle, be able to return to the UK via channels arranged by the British government.
The "MV Hondius"'s next stop is the Canary Islands, Spain. The journey from its previous stop, Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa, to the Canary Islands takes approximately 3 days. The "MV Hondius" departed from Cape Verde today.
UKHSA stated that two British passengers recently returned to the UK on their own and are currently in home isolation, with no symptoms reported. UKHSA continues to provide advice and support.
British passengers currently on the cruise ship have also not reported any symptoms but are being closely monitored. The UK Foreign Office is arranging for these passengers to return, and UKHSA will assist them with isolation and regular testing and medical consultations.
Upon arrival in the UK, these passengers may be isolated for up to 6 weeks.
Despite this, UKHSA emphasized that the risk of the outbreak to the British public remains "very low."
British media reported that the two British passengers who returned independently disembarked at the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, off the coast of Africa in the South Atlantic, and flew back to the UK via Johannesburg, South Africa.
The "MV Hondius" was docked at Saint Helena from April 22 to 24. UKHSA continues to investigate the contact history of these two British passengers, including utilizing resources from the Foreign Office, Home Office, and Border Force to trace individuals from various countries who were on the same flight and to ascertain if any confirmed cases have emerged.
The "MV Hondius" experienced a Hantavirus outbreak in April and reported it to the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 2. Currently, there have been 3 deaths.
There are still nearly 150 people on board the cruise ship, from over 20 countries; among them, more than 20 are British passengers and crew members. Currently, there have been no deaths among British passengers or crew.
UKHSA noted that it is continuously collaborating with the UK Foreign Office, Department of Health and Social Care, as well as WHO and other national and international partners, to prepare for the return of British passengers from the "MV Hondius" to the UK, and to continue tracing anyone who may have had contact with the "MV Hondius" or confirmed patients to prevent the spread of infection.
According to WHO information, despite 3 deaths, there are currently only 2 confirmed cases of Hantavirus, with others being suspected cases.
UKHSA pointed out that Hantavirus is hosted by rodents such as rats and is mostly transmitted through their feces and urine. Human infection cases are extremely rare, more commonly seen only in environments where humans and rats coexist.
Furthermore, Hantavirus is not easily transmitted "person-to-person," but "person-to-person" transmission has been observed in cases involving specific viral strains.
Hantavirus infection symptoms can range from mild, similar to the flu, including fever, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, to severe respiratory illness.
Today, under the coordination of the governments of Cape Verde, the Netherlands, and the UK, three other passengers disembarked early and are receiving treatment in the Netherlands, including a 56-year-old British male. (Edited by Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150507
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(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yun-yu, London, 6th exclusive report) Following a Hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship "MV Hondius," the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced today that the government plans to arrange charter flights to evacuate British passengers back to the UK, provided they are asymptomatic and agree to isolation and monitoring upon arrival.
According to the plan, if British passengers remain asymptomatic when the "MV Hondius" docks at its next destination, they will, in principle, be able to return to the UK via channels arranged by the British government.
The "MV Hondius"'s next stop is the Canary Islands, Spain. The journey from its previous stop, Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa, to the Canary Islands takes approximately 3 days. The "MV Hondius" departed from Cape Verde today.
UKHSA stated that two British passengers recently returned to the UK on their own and are currently in home isolation, with no symptoms reported. UKHSA continues to provide advice and support.
British passengers currently on the cruise ship have also not reported any symptoms but are being closely monitored. The UK Foreign Office is arranging for these passengers to return, and UKHSA will assist them with isolation and regular testing and medical consultations.
Upon arrival in the UK, these passengers may be isolated for up to 6 weeks.
Despite this, UKHSA emphasized that the risk of the outbreak to the British public remains "very low."
British media reported that the two British passengers who returned independently disembarked at the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, off the coast of Africa in the South Atlantic, and flew back to the UK via Johannesburg, South Africa.
The "MV Hondius" was docked at Saint Helena from April 22 to 24. UKHSA continues to investigate the contact history of these two British passengers, including utilizing resources from the Foreign Office, Home Office, and Border Force to trace individuals from various countries who were on the same flight and to ascertain if any confirmed cases have emerged.
The "MV Hondius" experienced a Hantavirus outbreak in April and reported it to the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 2. Currently, there have been 3 deaths.
There are still nearly 150 people on board the cruise ship, from over 20 countries; among them, more than 20 are British passengers and crew members. Currently, there have been no deaths among British passengers or crew.
UKHSA noted that it is continuously collaborating with the UK Foreign Office, Department of Health and Social Care, as well as WHO and other national and international partners, to prepare for the return of British passengers from the "MV Hondius" to the UK, and to continue tracing anyone who may have had contact with the "MV Hondius" or confirmed patients to prevent the spread of infection.
According to WHO information, despite 3 deaths, there are currently only 2 confirmed cases of Hantavirus, with others being suspected cases.
UKHSA pointed out that Hantavirus is hosted by rodents such as rats and is mostly transmitted through their feces and urine. Human infection cases are extremely rare, more commonly seen only in environments where humans and rats coexist.
Furthermore, Hantavirus is not easily transmitted "person-to-person," but "person-to-person" transmission has been observed in cases involving specific viral strains.
Hantavirus infection symptoms can range from mild, similar to the flu, including fever, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, to severe respiratory illness.
Today, under the coordination of the governments of Cape Verde, the Netherlands, and the UK, three other passengers disembarked early and are receiving treatment in the Netherlands, including a 56-year-old British male. (Edited by Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150507
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.