Third British national diagnosed with suspected hantavirus linked to cruise ship

A third British national has been diagnosed with suspected hantavirus linked to a cruise ship outbreak, health officials have said.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said two British nationals have confirmed hantavirus but there is now “an additional suspected case of a British national on Tristan da Cunha”.

The patient remains on the remote South Atlantic island.

The other two British nationals remain in hospital in the Netherlands and South Africa.

The remote islands of St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha all lie in the South Atlantic ocean, midway between Africa and South America.

A total of 29 people left the cruise ship MV Hondius – including seven Britons – when it docked in St Helena on April 24, including a Dutch woman who became unwell during onward travel and died.

Three people in total have died linked to an outbreak of hantavirus on the cruise ship.

The UKHSA said none of the British citizens on board the ship, which is now travelling to Tenerife, are currently reporting symptoms but are being closely monitored.

A statement said the ship is expected to dock in Tenerife on Sunday, according to the latest updates from the Spanish health ministry.

The UKHSA added: “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.”

It said Foreign Office officials and UKHSA teams will continue to support passengers, with a dedicated repatriation flight is being organised for passengers and crew.

The statement added: “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 from the ship are being asked to isolate for 45 days upon returning to the UK, with close monitoring by UKHSA officials.

“Follow-up is already under way 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 statement added.

Published: 08/05/2026 by Radio NewsHub