UK rat virus update on two passengers on board horror outbreak ship | World | News
The cruise ship MV Hondius docked off the coast of Cape Verded (Image: AP)
Two people who were on the cruise ship hit by the deadly hantavirus outbreak have returned to the UK, health officials said. The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) said the individuals self-isolated and did not show any symptoms upon their return to the UK, regardless of the MV Hondius.
In its update on Wednesday evening, the agency said: “They are receiving advice and support from UKHSA and have been advised to self-isolate. UKHSA is supporting a small number of people who have been identified as having been in close contact with those on the boat. They are being offered support and are also self-isolating. None are reporting any symptoms.”
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MV Hondius will dock in Tenerife on Saturday (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
It added that the risk to the general public “remains very low.”
The pair reportedly left the MV Hondius in St Helena, where it docked between 22 and 24 April, before returning to the UK via Johannesburg.
He is believed to have contacted health authorities after hearing about cases of hantavirus carried by rodents such as mice and rats on the Dutch-flagged ship.
Following the outbreak, three passengers on the MV Hondius died.
The outbreak was linked to a birdwatching trip two passengers took in Argentina before boarding the ship.
It was stated that approximately 19 British citizens were listed as passengers on the ship, which went from Argentina to Cape Verde with four British crew members.
Among those who fell ill are two British people, one passenger and one crew member.
British crew member Martin Anstee was one of three suspected hantavirus cases evacuated from the ship on Wednesday morning.
The 56-year-old expedition guide and former police officer was flown to the Netherlands to receive specialist medical care after being flown off the ship.
His wife Nicola told the Telegraph it had been a “very traumatic few days”.
The UKHSA said none of the British nationals on board were currently reporting symptoms and were being “closely monitored”.
The health authority is also helping track down people who may have been on the same flight as a confirmed case.
He said he was working to prepare for the arrival of British citizens to the UK from a Dutch-flagged ship anchored off Cape Verde.
Health officials said the remaining British citizens could be repatriated if they did not develop symptoms after the ship docked in the Canary Islands.
It is expected to arrive in Tenerife on Saturday, following a decision by the Spanish government to allow local authorities to dock on the island.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said eight cases of hantavirus have been detected so far in people on the ship, three confirmed and five suspected.
It is understood that none of the remaining passengers on the ship showed symptoms and two extra paramedics were flown in to assist.
Passengers were confined to their cabins to stop the spread of the virus.
