UK Health Authorities Plan 45-Day Isolation Protocol for British Passengers from Hantavirus-Affected Cruise Ship

A cruise ship (MV Hondius) traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde has experienced a hantavirus outbreak resulting in 3 deaths and 8 suspected cases, with 3 confirmed through laboratory testing. UK health authorities are coordinating repatriation of 19 British passengers and 4 crew members, requiring 45-day home isolation upon return. The outbreak is linked to a pre-embarkation birdwatching expedition in Argentina, where 101 hantavirus infections have been reported since June 2025. A British crew member was medically evacuated to the Netherlands for specialist care. Health officials emphasize low public health risk, noting the Andes virus strain shows only limited human-to-human transmission among close contacts. Contact tracing is underway for all potentially exposed individuals. Spain is repatriating 14 Spanish nationals to a Madrid hospital for quarantine.