Ten people from remote South Atlantic islands are being flown to Britain after cruise ship passengers linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak landed on their territory. Officials confirmed that the group, from the UK overseas territories of St Helena and Ascension Island, had contact with infected passengers aboard the MV Hondius and are being relocated as a precautionary measure.
Precautionary Relocation to UK
The UK Health Security Agency stated that none of the group currently show symptoms, but they are being moved to complete isolation with access to specialist NHS treatment if needed. Health officials emphasized that England's high-consequence infectious disease network is well equipped to handle any potential cases. It remains unclear whether any of those being flown to the UK are British nationals.
Background of the Outbreak
This development comes as 20 Britons, along with a German resident of the UK and a Japanese passenger, prepare to leave isolation at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral. They were taken there after the MV Hondius docked in Tenerife on Sunday evening following the hantavirus outbreak onboard. Passengers will continue isolation for another 42 days, with some allowed to do so at home under daily monitoring by health protection teams. A small number of people already isolating elsewhere in England will also be assessed at Arrowe Park.
Professor Robin May expressed gratitude for passengers' cooperation and patience during what he described as a very unsettling period. Authorities remain focused on ensuring passenger safety and support.
Government Response
Earlier, the government of Ascension Island confirmed that several travellers on St Helena had been classified as higher risk after sailing on the vessel. Officials stressed that the likelihood of illness remains low but noted that UK experts advised pre-emptive relocation to Britain. One British man infected with hantavirus is still being treated in Johannesburg and is believed to be improving, while another patient is in the Netherlands. A third British national with the virus is isolating on the remote island of Tristan da Cunha.
WHO Comments on Quarantine Conditions
Meanwhile, the head of the World Health Organization revealed that some passengers had been facing mental breakdown during weeks trapped onboard. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it would have been inhumane to force passengers to remain quarantined on the ship instead of allowing it to dock in Tenerife. Speaking at a briefing, he praised Spain and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for permitting the vessel into the Canary Islands. He stated, 'They have the right to be treated with dignity and compassion. Some people around the world were calling for the passengers to remain contained on the ship for the full quarantine period. Our view was that would have been inhumane, unnecessary, and even cruel.'
Current Case Numbers
So far, 11 hantavirus cases linked to the cruise have been reported, including three deaths. Despite fears over the spread, WHO chiefs insisted there is currently no sign of a wider outbreak emerging. Elsewhere, a French woman remains in intensive care in a stable condition at a hospital in Paris.
