Two Britons Improving After Hantavirus-Hit Cruise Ship Evacuation

The two Britons evacuated from the hantavirus-affected cruise ship MV Hondius are reported to be improving in hospital, according to global health officials. The 69-year-old man, who was airlifted to a private health facility in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 27 April, and the 56-year-old expedition guide Martin Anstee, now receiving care in the Netherlands, have both shown signs of recovery, though their conditions remain under close medical observation.

The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, which departed from Argentina a month ago, has been classified as a “serious incident” by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of May 5, 2026, the WHO confirmed seven cases linked to the ship, including three deaths—one confirmed hantavirus case and two others under investigation. Five additional cases were confirmed by the WHO on May 4, all among passengers who had been on the vessel. The WHO has stressed that the risk to the public remains low, but the prolonged incubation period of up to six weeks means more cases could still emerge.

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses primarily carried by rodents and transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings, or saliva. In the Americas, hantaviruses can cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe respiratory illness with a case fatality rate of up to 50%. The Andes virus, found in South America, is the only known hantavirus type capable of limited person-to-person transmission, though this is rare and usually limited to close contact with an infected individual.

Early symptoms of hantavirus infection—such as fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue—can resemble those of other respiratory illnesses, making diagnosis challenging in the early stages. As the disease progresses, patients may develop severe respiratory distress, requiring intensive medical care. The WHO and national health authorities are coordinating a multi-country response, including case isolation, contact tracing, and enhanced surveillance to monitor the situation and prevent further spread.

British passengers on the ship are expected to self-isolate for up to 45 days upon returning to the UK, with individual circumstances determining the exact duration. The MV Hondius is expected to dock in the Canary Islands, where officials are in advanced talks with the UK to arrange a repatriation flight for British nationals still aboard.

While the current outbreak is not comparable to the Covid-19 pandemic, the situation underscores the importance of vigilance and rapid response in managing infectious disease outbreaks, particularly in settings where large groups of people are in close contact.