Cruise ship - Hantavirus - May 3+ - As of May 22 per WHO: 12 total cases, 3 total deaths

[Commonground]

[suspected contact case]

Flight attendant in isolation after contact with passenger linked to hantavirus case

Published: 07/05/2026

- 10:04 Updated: 07/05/2026 - 10:12

A flight attendant has been admitted to hospital in Amsterdam following potential exposure to the hantavirus.

The KLM cabin crew member is currently undergoing testing for the infection while remaining in isolation at the Dutch hospital, according to the country's Ministry of Public Health. Her symptoms are described as mild.

The hospitalisation follows direct contact with a 69-year-old Dutch woman who succumbed to the virus at a Johannesburg hospital on 26 April.

The deceased passenger had briefly boarded a KLM aircraft at O.R. Tambo International Airport before airline staff requested she leave due to illness.

Following the woman's removal from the aircraft, the flight proceeded from Johannesburg to Amsterdam, departing at 11:15 p.m. on 25 April.

The now-hospitalised flight attendant was working aboard that particular service.

Dutch health authorities at the GGD have commenced efforts to reach all passengers who travelled on the flight.

Those contacted are being advised to monitor themselves for any symptoms that may develop.

https://www.gbnews.com/health/hantav...ger-latest-klm

[Commonground]

KLM Crew Denied Boarding to Hantavirus-Infected Passenger Who Later Died
May 7, 2026


AMSTERDAM- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) confirmed that a 69-year-old Dutch woman who later died from hantavirus was briefly on board a KLM aircraft at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg (JNB) on April 25, 2026, before crew members denied her boarding due to her medical condition.

The woman, her 70-year-old husband, and a German passenger all died after contracting the virus aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions.

The infected passenger had traveled from Saint Helena Airport (HLE) to Johannesburg (JNB) on an Airlink (4Z) flight carrying 82 passengers and 6 crew members before she attempted to board KLM Flight 592 to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).

Dutch health authorities, including the RIVM and GGD, have launched contact tracing efforts across multiple flights, while the World Health Organization continues to monitor the growing outbreak linked to the cruise vessel.

https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2026/05/07/klm-crew-denied-boarding-to-hantavirus-infected-passenger-who-later-died/

[Toaster2]

We now now that 40 passengers left the ship at St Helena. Probably most of them went on in the flight to Johannesburg and are among the 88 that are monitored (? my guess, there are only flights to Johannesburg and Ascencion)

40 passengers left ship hit by Hantavirus at island of St. Helena : NPR

[Commonground]

The cruise operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, had previously only confirmed that the Dutch woman left the ship with her husband’s body and had not publicly acknowledged that dozens of other passengers also disembarked. Dutch authorities did not say where the passengers who left the ship are now... https://www.euronews.com/health/2026...it-cruise-ship

[Toaster2]

Indeed, now Ocenwide has communicated that 30 people left the cruise on April 24. Where they went from there is not published, but nationalities are known :

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/bl...Gg5MDc4NDY4MDA.

[Commonground]

2 Singapore residents on hantavirus-hit cruise ship isolated at NCID and undergoing tests

Published May 07, 2026, 05:16 PM
Updated May 07, 2026, 07:54 PM


SINGAPORE – Two Singapore residents who were on board the MV Hondius cruise ship, which reported an outbreak of Andes hantavirus, are being tested.

The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said it was notified on May 4 and 5 about the two residents.

Both of them have been isolated at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), where they are being tested for hantavirus. Their test results are not ready, the CDA said in a statement on May 7.


One has a runny nose but is otherwise well, and the other has no symptoms.

The first, a 67-year-old Singaporean man, arrived in Singapore on May 2. The second, a 65-year-old Singapore permanent resident, arrived in Singapore on May 6.

Both were on board the MV Hondius cruise ship when it left the Argentinian port Ushuaia on April 1.

They later got off the ship and got on the same flight as a confirmed hantavirus case. The flight was headed to the South African city of Johannesburg from St Helena Island on April 25.

The confirmed case did not travel to Singapore, and later died in South Africa, CDA said.

St Helena is an island in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 2,000km off the coast of Africa.

Continued: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...test-headlines

[sharon sanders]

hat tip Toaster2 from post 78.2


Press update | m/v Hondius: 7 May 2026, 11:30 hrs CET


by Oceanwide Expeditions News 07.05.2026

7 May 2026, 11:30 hrs CET

Oceanwide Expeditions continues to manage an ongoing medical situation on board m/v Hondius.

The second of two medicalized aircraft, carrying one of the three individuals transferred from m/v Hondius yesterday (6 May), has landed in the Netherlands. Specialist medical and screening teams have received the individual on board. All three individuals, two symptomatic and one asymptomatic, are now in the care of medical professionals.

We continue to monitor the progress of m/v Hondius, which departed Cape Verde at 19:15 CET yesterday (6 May) and is sailing for the Canary Islands, specifically the port of Granadilla (Tenerife). This is expected to take 3-4 days. No symptomatic individuals are present on board. Oceanwide Expeditions remains in close and continual discussion with relevant authorities regarding our exact point of arrival, quarantine and screening procedures for all guests, and a precise timeline.

Oceanwide Expeditions can confirm that on 1 April 2026, 114 guests boarded m/v Hondius in Ushuaia, Argentina. 30 guests disembarked m/v Hondius on Saint Helena on 24 April 2026. This number includes the body of the guest who passed away on board m/v Hondius on 11 April 2026. The first confirmed case of hantavirus was not reported until 4 May 2026. These disembarked guests have all been contacted by Oceanwide Expeditions. We are working to establish details of all passengers and crew who embarked and disembarked on various stops of m/v Hondius since March 20.

Nationalities of 30 guests who DISEMBARKED at ST HELENA 24 April 2026

CAN	2
CHE	2
DEU	1
DNK	1
GBR	7
KNA	1
NLD	3
NZL	1
SGP	1
SWE	1
TUR	2
USA	6
Unknown	2
Total	30

Close cooperation continues with local and international authorities, including the WHO, the RIVM, relevant embassies, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

All media inquiries should be directed to: Mrs. Kiki Hirschfeldt: kiki@coebergh.nl

For all other matters, we refer to our previous press updates. The unchanged list of previous official communications is as follows:

6 May 2026, 22:45 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/press-update-m-v-hondius-6-may-2026-22-45-hrs-cet

6 May 2026, 14:45 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-6-may-2026-14-45-hrs-cet

6 May 2026, 11:00 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/press-update-6-may-2026-11-00-hrs-cet

5 May 2026 19:15 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/onboard-update-m-v-hondius-5-may-2026-19-15-hrs-cet

5 May 2026, 17:00 CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/press-update-updated-timeline-of-the-medical-situation-on-board-m-v-hondius-5-may-2026-15-30-cet

4 May 2026, 23:30 CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/press-update-updated-timeline-of-the-medical-situation-on-board-m-v-hondius

4 May 2026, 13:30 PM CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/press-update-timeline-of-the-medical-situation-on-board-the-m-v-hondius

3 May 2026, 3:00 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/operational-update-medical-situation-aboard-m-v-hondius


https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/press-update-m-v-hondius-7-may-2026-11-30-hrs-cet?_gl=1*ck5lhd*_up*MQ..*_ga*NTcwNTQ0NTc1LjE3Nzgx NDkzMzI.*_ga_4NF7C856F1*czE3NzgxNDkzMjkkbzEkZzEkdD E3NzgxNDkzMzUkajU0JGwwJGg5MDc4NDY4MDA

[Commonground]

CDC says monitoring US travelers on cruise ship after hantavirus outbreak
May 6, 20268:40 PM EDTUpdated 5 hours ago

Excerpt:

People in at least three U.S. states were being monitored for potential hantavirus infections after the outbreak on the MV Hondius, though none had shown signs of illness, the New York Times reported earlier ⁠on Wednesday.

Georgia is monitoring two residents, while California is monitoring an undisclosed number of residents who had also been on the ship, the newspaper said.

In an emailed statement to Reuters, the Georgia Department of Public Health said it was monitoring two residents who had returned ⁠home after disembarking from the cruise ship. Both individuals were currently in good health, showed no signs of infection, and were following current recommendations from the CDC, it added.

The Arizona ⁠Department of Health Services said in a separate emailed statement it was monitoring one resident who was a passenger on the ship and that the individual was ⁠not symptomatic.

The California Department of Public Health did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/people-least-3-us-states-being-monitored-potential-hantavirus-after-being-dutch-2026-05-07/

[sharon sanders]

WHO live media conference

[sharon sanders]

Dr. Tedros made an opening statement and it was basically a recap of the timeline as we know it from above. He did add that a WHO representative and 2 doctors have joined the ship. I am not sure if the WHO rep is also a medical doctor. These persons will remain on the ship with the crew and passengers until it docks. I think the situation is stable on the ship for now. It has been sterilized and everyone is isolating in their cabins. He also added that WHO assesses that the risk for the Canary Is. is low and that all contagious disease protocols are being employed.

[Pathfinder]

WHO’s response to hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship

7 May 2026 Note for Media Geneva Reading time: 1 min (297 words)

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, briefed media today on a cluster of hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship, the MV Hondius.

Eight cases have been reported so far, including three deaths. Five of the 8 cases have been confirmed as hantavirus.

The hantavirus involved is the Andes virus, the only species known to be capable of limited transmission between humans, linked to close and prolonged contact.

Describing the situation, Dr Tedros said, “While this is a serious incident, WHO assesses the public health risk as low.” He noted that given the incubation period, “it’s possible that more cases may be reported.”

WHO is coordinating closely with multiple countries under the International Health Regulations or IHR, rules that define the rights and obligations of countries and WHO in responding to public health events. This event demonstrates why the IHR exist, demonstrating the importance of global cooperation and solidarity in responding to health threats that know no borders.

“Our priorities are to ensure the affected patients receive care, that the remaining passengers on the ship are kept safe and treated with dignity, and to prevent any further spread of the virus,” Dr Tedros said.

WHO has taken a number of actions since it was notified of the situation on Saturday, 2 May 2026. The latest of these include deploying an expert on board the ship, to support a comprehensive medical assessment of all passengers and crew, while gathering critical information to evaluate their risk of infection.

WHO has arranged for the shipment of 2500 diagnostic kits from Argentina to laboratories in five countries to strengthen testing capacity. The Organization is also developing step-by-step operational guidance for the safe and respectful disembarkation and onward travel of passengers and crew when they arrive.

Watch the full press conference

https://www.who.int/news/item/07-05-2026-who-s-response-to-hantavirus-cases-linked-to-a-cruise-ship

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Ministry of Health/

Argentina assists European countries with hantavirus diagnostic supplies

Following the confirmation of hantavirus cases on the MV Hondius ship, the national health ministry activated international cooperation mechanisms, sending supplies to carry out 2,500 diagnostic tests and reinforced epidemiological surveillance to support the investigation of the outbreak.

May 6, 2026

The Argentine Ministry of Health is pursuing a two-pronged strategy to address the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius vessel. On one hand, it is strengthening international cooperation by sending supplies to the affected countries and providing technical assistance for the clinical management of cases. Simultaneously, it is promoting investigations within Argentina to determine the possible origin of the infections.

As of today, May 6, eight cases have been confirmed among passengers and crew of the MV Hondius, and three of them have died. Yesterday, it was confirmed that the variant corresponds to the Andes strain, which has only been reported to circulate in Chubut, Río Negro, and Neuquén provinces, and in southern Chile. Given that the ship departed from Argentina on April 1, our country is actively collaborating with the relevant international organizations and all countries involved to contain the outbreak and ensure proper case management.

The ANLIS-Malbrán Institute has offered its technical capacity, experience, and resources to assist healthcare systems that require it. Based on an assessment of each country's needs, Argentina will send Andes virus RNA—a fundamental input for detecting the virus in humans—and ELISA plates sensitized with Andes virus antigens to laboratories in Spain, Senegal, South Africa, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. These plates will be used in serological studies to detect specific antibodies against the virus in human serum. With these supplies, approximately 2,500 diagnostic tests can be performed. Argentina will also send diagnostic guidelines and treatment protocols to ensure the proper management of cases.

Meanwhile, the National Ministry of Health and the ANLIS-Malbrán Institute are advancing the epidemiological investigation at the local level. In coordination with health authorities in Tierra del Fuego and other Patagonian jurisdictions, they are reconstructing the itinerary of the index case, that is, the Dutch citizens who presented the first symptoms. So far, their entry and exit from Argentina are known: it has been confirmed that they arrived in the country on November 27 of last year and traveled by car for 40 days before crossing into Chile on January 7 of this year. Once there, they continued their journey by car for another 24 days. The itinerary also includes entry into the province of Neuquén on January 31 and another visit to Chile 12 days later. They then crossed from Chile to Mendoza, where they began a 20-day road trip to reach Misiones. Finally, on March 13, they crossed overland to Uruguay and on March 27 they returned to the country to head to Ushuaia from where they left on April 1.

To date, no associated cases have been identified in the country. Technical teams from the Malbrán Institute will travel to Ushuaia to conduct rodent capture and analysis operations in areas linked to the movements of the cases and to detect the possible presence of the virus in natural reservoirs. It is important to note that although it is not confirmed that the transmission occurred in Argentina and that Tierra del Fuego has not reported any cases of hantavirus since mandatory reporting of the event began in 1996, these actions are part of the intensified epidemiological surveillance strategy being carried out in coordination with the jurisdictions, which are responsible for strengthening the reporting and detection of cases in their territories.

In its leadership role, the National Ministry of Health is continuously monitoring the situation, evaluating the progress of ongoing actions and coordinating with local jurisdictions and international organizations. This work allows for a strengthened health response, enhanced technical cooperation, and progress in identifying the origin of the outbreak.

https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticia...ara-hantavirus

[sharon sanders]

Please see our Hantavirus forum for some of the history in Argentina and other countries:

https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/emerging-diseases-other-health-threats-alphabetical-a-thru-h/hantavirus

[Pathfinder]

Canada -
Screenshot:




10:11 AM · May 7, 2026

[Pathfinder]

Statement regarding circulating video of 12 April 2026 onboard announcement — m/v Hondius

by Oceanwide Expeditions News 07.05.2026

7 May 2026, 13:30 hrs CET

Oceanwide Expeditions is aware of a video filmed on 12 April 2026 and showing the onboard announcement to guests of the death of an individual on board on 11 April 2026.

The safety and well-being of all passengers and crew is our utmost priority. At the time of the first death on 11 April, the cause of death was unknown and there was no evidence of a virus or contagion on board m/v Hondius. This was established by the medical doctor on board and communicated in person by the captain to passengers and crew on 12 April.

The case was believed to be isolated following medical review. Proper procedure was followed in informing all guests and crew aboard m/v Hondius. Health and safety, and maritime standards regarding the proper management and reporting of a death at sea, were strictly followed. Following the medevac of an unwell guest on 27 April, the ship's medical team requested testing to determine whether any common pathogens were present. Oceanwide Expeditions initiated its SHIELD response plan on this date.

Hantavirus was confirmed on 4 May to be present in the individual transferred by medevac from m/v Hondius on 27 April and currently being treated in a South African hospital. This was the first confirmed case. In response, Oceanwide Expeditions immediately upgraded its response protocol, requesting guests follow isolation measures, hygiene protocols, and expand medical monitoring. Three additional medical professionals have since embarked the vessel, bringing the total number to four medical professionals on board.

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/statement-regarding-circulating-video-of-12-april-2026-onboard-announcement-m-v-hondius

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Press update | m/v Hondius: 7 May 2026, 17:15 hrs CET

by Oceanwide Expeditions News 07.05.2026

7 May 2026, 17:15 hrs CET

Oceanwide Expeditions continues to manage a medical situation onboard m/v Hondius.

The three individuals medically transferred from m/v Hondius yesterday remain in the care of medical professionals. The vessel remains underway and is heading to the Canary Islands, specifically the port of Granadilla (Tenerife).

No symptomatic individuals are present on board. Medical personnel, under the leadership and guidance of the RIVM, WHO, and the Dutch Government, remain aboard m/v Hondius and lead medical monitoring during the transit to the Canary Islands.

Provisionally, m/v Hondius is estimated to arrive at the port of Grandilla, Tenerife in the early hours of Sunday 10 May. This is subject to change. Oceanwide Expeditions remains in close and continual discussion with relevant authorities regarding our exact point of arrival, quarantine and screening procedures for all guests, and a precise timeline.

Following the disembarkation or evacuation of guests aboard m/v Hondius, Oceanwide Expeditions is not involved in medical testing, screening and onward journeys.

In addition to the list of passenger nationalities who disembarked the vessel in Saint Helena on 24 April provided earlier today, we wish to provide the following information:

• On 1 April 2026, 114 guests were aboard m/v Hondius upon departure from Ushuaia, Argentina.
• On 15 April, 6 additional guests joined m/v Hondius at Tristan da Cunha, located between Ushuaia, Argentina, and Saint Helena. This brought the total number of onboard guests to 120. At this time, one guest was deceased and is included in this figure.
• 4 of these new individuals who joined m/v Hondius at Tristan da Cunha were included in the original manifest of the vessel. They are of British nationality. 2 were unplanned additions. At this time, their nationality is believed to be Chilean.
• A discrepancy has been identified in the reported numbers of guests departing Ushuaia and disembarking in Saint Helena on 24 April. A total of 120 guests were on board m/v Hondius upon arrival in Saint Helena. Of these, 30 disembarked on 24 April 2026. This figure includes the individual who passed away on board m/v Hondius on 11 April.

Close cooperation continues with local and international authorities, including the WHO, the RIVM, relevant embassies, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

All media inquiries should be directed to: Mrs. Kiki Hirschfeldt: kiki@coebergh.nl

For all other matters, we refer to our previous press updates. The unchanged list of previous official communications is as follows:
...

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-m-v-hondius-7-may-2026-17-15-hrs-cet

[Pathfinder]

Regarding Oceanwide Expeditions’ statement about the 12 April 2026 Hondius announcement video posted above (#86):

Passenger dies aboard cruise ship amid hantavirus outbreak | GMA News

...
7 May 2026 #GMANews #SerbisyongTotoo #BreakingNews
PASSENGER DIES DURING HANTAVIRUS-HIT CRUISE VOYAGE WATCH:

Video shared on social media showed the captain of a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak informing passengers on April 12, 2026, that one person had died on board.

In the footage recorded aboard the MV Hondius, Captain Jan Dobrogowski told passengers it was his “sad duty” to announce the death, adding that doctors believed it was due to natural causes and not linked to a contagious illness, assuring passengers that “the ship is safe.”

A second announcement heard in the video said the passenger had been ill for several days and had received intensive care before dying, adding the ship had changed course toward Tristan da Cunha to meet authorities and complete necessary formalities.
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGEgnxrDAt8

[Pathfinder]

Spain MoH

Translation Google

The Spanish Government is holding seven coordination meetings today with the countries involved and with the Government of the Canary Islands.

• Mónica García and Ángel Víctor Torres have met with the President of the Canary Islands to analyze the situation and the procedure to follow for the transfer of the passengers of the MV Hondius.
• Anchoring the ship in Granadilla (Tenerife) is an option that was already being considered due to the technical characteristics of the Port, which is not prepared for the disembarkation of people.

Madrid, May 7, 2026 - The Minister of Health, Mónica García, and the Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, held an information meeting today with the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health, regarding the protocols that will be followed with the passengers of the MV Hondius who will disembark in the Canary Islands, for their control and subsequent transfer to Madrid, in the case of the 14 Spaniards, and to their countries of origin, in the case of the rest of the passengers.

This meeting is part of the ongoing communication that has existed between the Government of Spain and the Government of the Canary Islands at both a technical and institutional level since the beginning of the hantavirus health crisis.

Ministers García and Torres have expressed their full willingness to assist since learning of the infections on the cruise ship and their commitment to ensuring that the transfers are carried out with the utmost safety for both the patients and the public. In this regard, the Canary Islands president has been informed that the 147 passengers currently en route to the Canary Islands from Cape Verde remain asymptomatic and that the option of anchoring the ship upon arrival at the Port of Granadilla (Tenerife) was already being considered for various reasons, including the port's technical limitations, as it is not equipped for disembarking passengers.

In addition to appealing for responsibility and trust in science, the ministers recalled that today, as has been the case since Tuesday, two more technical meetings are planned between the Ministries of Health and the Interior with the Government of the Canary Islands, which are part of the seven coordination meetings that the Government of Spain will hold today with the Government delegations and, at the European level, with those responsible for health security and Civil Protection of the EU.

https://www.sanidad.gob.es/en/gabine...nsa.do?id=6902

[Pathfinder]

DSHS statement on Texas residents who were on board the MV Hondius

News Release
May 7, 2026

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has notified DSHS that two Texas residents were passengers on the MV Hondius, a ship that experienced an outbreak of hantavirus while traveling in the Atlantic Ocean. The passengers left the ship and returned to the United States before the outbreak was identified.

Public health workers in Texas have reached the two individuals, and they report they are not experiencing any symptoms and did not have any contact with a sick person while aboard the ship. They have agreed to monitor themselves for symptoms with daily temperature checks and contact public health officials at any sign of a possible illness.

Hantaviruses are usually spread through contact with wild rodent droppings or urine. The strain in the Hondius outbreak, Andes virus, can spread from person to person in limited circumstances. It typically requires close, prolonged contact with a person who is actively sick with the disease. It is not known to spread through casual contact such as shaking hands or being in the same room for a few minutes. There have been no documented cases where a person without symptoms spread it to someone else.

DSHS will not release additional personal details about the passengers in order to protect their privacy.

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/dshs-statement-texas-residents-who-were-board-mv-hondius

[Michael Coston]

UKHSA Hantavirus Update: Cryptic Mention of a Suspected Case on Tristan Da Cunha






#19,149

The online signal-to-noise ratio regarding the hantavirus outbreak continues to degrade with several `false alarms' making the rounds yesterday, and the arrival of the highly vocal `plandemic' contingent, who view this outbreak as some sort of vast global conspiracy.

Finding credible, informative, reports is made even more difficult by the tendency of governments to downplay risks to reassure a nervous public.

While I still believe this outbreak should be containable - there are a lot of moving parts - many of which we probably aren't aware of. It now appears at least 30 people left the ship before the outbreak was recognized, and some may have had opportunities to spread the virus.

All of which brings us to the UK's HSA announcement this morning that they are aware of a `suspected' case on Tristan Da Cunha (stop #5 on the map above); a small volcanic island in the south Atlantic that is home to > 200 Brits.

Exactly why they suspect this person is infected - or their condition - is not stated. Nor do they say how the person was likely exposed (was this a passenger, a local resident, etc.?).

If confirmed (and that's still an `if'), this would be a significant turn of events.

First today's statement, after which I'll have a bit more.

Statement from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)


The UK government continues to work with international authorities in preparing for the arrival of British nationals to the UK from the MV Hondius cruise ship where an outbreak of Hantavirus was confirmed by the World Health Organization.

Two British nationals have confirmed hantavirus, with an additional suspected case of a British national on Tristan da Cunha. None of the British citizens onboard are currently reporting symptoms but they are being closely monitored.

The ship is expected to dock in Tenerife on Sunday, according to the latest updates from the Spanish Health Ministry. 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.

FCDO and UKHSA teams will be on the ground to support these arrangements, bolstered by a Rapid Deployment Team sent from the UK. The FCDO is chartering a dedicated repatriation flight for British ship passengers and crew only. This flight will be free of charge.

UKHSA is working with partners to ensure the flight operates under strict infection control measures. Public health and infectious disease specialists from UKHSA and the NHS will be on board to monitor British Nationals whilst on the flight, to ensure that preventative measures are in place and to provide any care in the unlikely event that any passengers become unwell on the flight.

All British passengers and crew on board the MV Hondius will be asked to isolate for 45 days upon returning to the UK and UKHSA will closely monitor these individuals, with testing as required.

Follow up is already underway for individuals who may have been in contact with cases and have since returned to the UK or are in in UK Overseas Territories. The UK government will ensure those self-isolating are given appropriate support.

UKHSA is aware of seven British Nationals who disembarked the ship at St Helena on 24 April.

Two of those people have returned to the UK independently and are isolating at home in the UK. Neither of these individuals is currently reporting symptoms. They are receiving advice and support from UKHSA and have been advised to self-isolate.

Four of these individuals remain in St Helena. A seventh individual has been traced outside of the UK.

The FCDO is in direct contact with the ship and British nationals on board and has stood up consular teams across multiple countries to support British nationals. UK government is working very closely with international partners in response to this incident, including the cruise ship operator and the governments of UK overseas territories which were visited by the ship. UK government teams are working at pace to get medical support to all affected Overseas Territories. The Ministry of Defence has worked with UKHSA to provide vital diagnostic supplies, including PCR tests, which were delivered to Ascension Island via a military plane on 7 May.

The risk to the general public remains very low.

Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Officer at UKHSA, said:

This is an evolving situation, and we are working closely with partners to support British Nationals on board the MV Hondius.

The risk to the general population remains very low and the public can be reassured that established infection control measures will be put in place at every step of the journey to ensure the safe repatriation of British passengers on board.

Further information on the repatriation of British nationals will be provided in due course.

While it may turn out due more to an unfortunate series of events than anything else, the world's health agencies became aware of this outbreak weeks after it started, and are playing catch up.

Dozens of potentially infected individuals have scattered around the world, and they have had contact with hundreds - perhaps thousands - of people.

Luckily, most won't have been infected, and based on past Andes virus outbreaks, transmission should be limited. At least that's the assumption right now.

The UK has signaled its intention to have people to `isolate' (technically quarantine) for 45 days after returning to the UK. Note: I suspect someone, somewhere, has determined that `quarantine' is a scarier word than `isolate', but I digress.

Right now, it isn't clear whether all other countries will follow suit, or whether they'll get the cooperation they'll need from those exposed. While unpopular, quarantine has proven its worth many times, including in halting the 2018-2019 outbreak of the Andes Virus in Argentina.

Hopefully we'll take those lessons seriously.

https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2026/05/ukhsa-hantavirus-update-cryptic-mention.html