Foreign Office ‘working urgently’ to get Brits home following hantavirus outbreak

The UK government is working “urgently” to get British nationals safely home from a ship that has been struck by an outbreak of hantavirus.

 

Three people who were on board the MV Hondius have died and cases of the severe respiratory illness have been identified on the Dutch-flagged ship carrying 147 passengers and crew.

 

The ship is now on its way to the Canary Islands, after three suspected hantavirus patients were evacuated from Cape Verde on Wednesday (May 6).

 

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The outbreak of Hantavirus is very serious and deeply stressful for those affected and their families.

 

“The UK response is being led by the UK Health Security Agency working with the WHO [World Health Organisation].

 

“The Foreign Office is working urgently to support the UKHSA’s work overseas and to make sure British nationals on the MV Hondius can all get safely home with proper protection for public health.”

She said Foreign Office consular staff are in contact with British nationals onboard the ship and a crisis response centre has been operating for the last few days to provide support.

 

“Ministers are in close touch with our Dutch and Spanish counterparts and we have been working with other countries to facilitate the medical evacuations, to support our Overseas Territories and to get British nationals home safely as quickly as possible,” she said.

 

The ship’s operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, said in an update on Wednesday afternoon that two of those evacuated remain in a serious condition.

 

“The third, while currently asymptomatic, was closely associated with the individual who passed away on board on 2 May 2026. The two symptomatic individuals have not tested positive for hantavirus at this time,” said the update.

 

Two infectious disease doctors will be flown from the Netherlands to provide care on the ship.

 

Oceanwide Expeditions also confirmed that a passenger who travelled on the first leg of the voyage, from Ushuaia to St Helena, has tested positive for hantavirus and is currently being treated at the University Hospital Zurich. His wife, who accompanied him, has not shown symptoms but is self-isolating as a precaution.

 

This brings the total number of confirmed hantavirus cases associated with this voyage to three, said the cruise line.

 

Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed that MV Hondius left Cape Verde last night is heading north.

 

The company said: "Under the current plan, MV Hondius will sail for the Canary Islands. This is expected to take 3-4 days.

 

"Three additional medical professionals have embarked MV Hondius to provide optimal medical care during the crossing.

 

"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.

 

"We are unable to confirm the details of onward travel for guests at this stage. This is dependent on medical advice and the outcome of stringent screening procedures.

 

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

 

The BBC reported that 19 passengers and four crew members were listed as British.

 

It also said that those evacuated from the ship today were a 56-year-old British man plus a 41-year-old Dutch crew member and a 65-year-old German.

 

The broadcaster reported the Spain’s health minister says the passengers who remain on the ship do not have symptoms. The minister said Spaniards will be quarantined in Madrid, but didn’t give details about passengers from other countries, added the BBC.