UK Hospital Isolates 22 Passengers from Hantavirus-Affected Cruise Ship; Three Deaths Confirmed

Following a hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship (which departed Argentina in April with ~150 passengers and crew from 28 countries), 22 passengers have been evacuated to Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside for clinical assessment and testing. The isolating group—primarily British nationals plus German and Japanese passengers—are asymptomatic and in the first 72 hours of isolation, with plans for extended 45-day home isolation afterward. Three deaths are associated with the outbreak: a Dutch man (unconfirmed), his wife (confirmed case, died post-disembarkation), and a German woman (confirmed, died on ship). The WHO stated there is no sign of broader transmission but acknowledged the long incubation period means additional cases could emerge. All remaining passengers have been repatriated to their home countries; the ship is returning to the Netherlands with crew and the deceased German passenger's remains.