UK coordinates repatriation of 22 British nationals from hantavirus-affected cruise ship MV Hondius to Tenerife

The UK is coordinating the repatriation of 22 British passengers and crew from the MV Hondius cruise ship following a hantavirus outbreak linked to an Andes virus variant. The vessel is expected to dock in Tenerife on 8 May 2026, where passengers will be tested before boarding a dedicated medical-staffed repatriation flight. Nine cases (five confirmed, four suspected) have been linked to the outbreak, with three deaths reported. Two British men are receiving specialist care in the Netherlands and South Africa; a third British male with symptoms was left at Tristan da Cunha. UK returnees showing no symptoms must self-isolate for 45 days and undergo further testing. The outbreak was traced to a birdwatching expedition in Argentina. WHO and ECDC experts are aboard the ship conducting medical assessments. Officials state the current strain is not believed more transmissible than previous hantavirus cases, though investigations into person-to-person transmission are ongoing.