A British crew member in need of “urgent” medical care is preparing to be medically evacuated from the cruise ship at the heart of a suspected hantavirus outbreak.
The member will be evacuated alongside a Dutch colleague after presenting with acute respiratory symptoms, it is understood.
It comes after global health authorities have said the suspected hantavirus outbreak may be transmitting between passengers on board the MV Hondius, but maintained the risk to global health is low.
The boat began a remote expedition voyage from Argentina to Cape Verde on 1 April, during which at least three people have died.
Confirmed cases include a British passenger receiving care in South Africa and a Dutch woman who died on 27 April after disembarking.
The WHO said a total of seven hantavirus cases – two confirmed and five suspected – had been identified on the cruise ship so far.
The government said on Tuesday it is putting “plans in place” for the onward travel of Britons stuck aboard the cruise ship.
Are you or is anyone you know aboard the MV Hondius? If so, please email nicole.wootton-cane@independent.co.uk
Passengers not allowed to leave suspected hantavirus cruise ship until Canary Islands
Passengers will not be allowed off the MV Hondius, location for a suspected outbreak of hantavirus, until it reaches the Canary Islands – 900 miles northeast of its present location, Cape Verde. The voyage is expected to take three days.
Three people who were on the voyage from Argentina to Cape Verde have died and a British man is in hospital in South Africa.
The health authorities in Cape Verde have refused to allow the non-symptomatic passengers and crew to disembark.
The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder reports:
Passengers not allowed to leave suspected hantavirus cruise until the Canary Islands
The voyage to the islands is expected to take three daysNicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 15:00
Expert commentary: Why is the South America travel history significant?
Dr Benjamin Brennan, senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, explains why the ship’s previous travel is significant:
“Cases 1 and 2 travelled in South America, including Argentina, before boarding the cruise ship,” he said.
“This is a crucial piece of epidemiological information in that it suggests the infection was acquired in a hantavirus-endemic region and brought aboard, rather than originating from shipboard conditions. Argentina is where Andes virus circulates, so identifying which virus strain is responsible is essential for assessing the ongoing risks associated with the outbreak.
“The travel histories of other passengers and crew members are still being investigated, so it remains uncertain whether additional individuals may have had exposure to hantavirus sources in endemic areas before boarding or during port stops. However, most passengers and crew will have been in close quarters throughout the virus incubation period, leading to the potential for secondary cases to occur.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 14:30
Govt ‘putting plans in place’ for Britons on ship, PM says
The government is putting “plans in place” for the onward travel of Britons stuck aboard a cruise ship hit by a suspected hantavirus outbreak, the prime minister said.
In a post on X, Sir Keir Starmer said: “My thoughts are with those affected by the hantavirus outbreak onboard the MV Hondius.
“We are working closely with international partners to support British nationals on board and we’re putting plans in place for their safe onward travel.
“The risk to the wider public remains very low – protecting the British people is our number one priority.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 14:21
There is a ‘very low risk to the general public’ after suspected Hantavirus outbreak, Downing Street says
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
“There is a very low risk to the general public”, the prime minister’s official spokesperson has said following the suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship.
The spokesperson said: “We obviously know this will be a very worrying time for the friends and family of those on board the MV Hondius, and our thoughts with all those affected directly or indirectly by the Hantavirus outbreak.
“The World Health Organisation is leading the international response to this incident. It is overseeing direction of the ship itself and there are well established processes in place to prevent the disease spreading, which they’re directing, working closely with relevant agencies.”
They added: “Work is ongoing across government to plan for the safe onward travel of those British nationals on board for when they disembark. Speaking more broadly, people should be reassured there is a very low risk to the general public.”
Downing Street confirmed that the Foreign Office is in direct contact with the ship, which is thought to have around twenty British nationals on board.
It is understood that one British national who was a passenger on the ship is now being treated in hospital in South Africa. The Foreign Office is providing consular assistance and is in touch with their family.
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 14:00
British crew member awaiting evacuation after suspected hantavirus outbreak
A British crew member who became unwell after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean is to be medically evacuated, officials have said.
The crew member is being prepared for medical evacuation with a Dutch colleague, and Dutch authorities are leading evacuation plans.
They are said to need “urgent medical care” after having acute respiratory symptoms, the tour operator Oceanwide Expeditions said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said its “highest priority” is to “medically evacuate these two individuals to make sure that they have the care that they receive”.
Meanwhile a British passenger struck down by hantavirus is “understood to be improving”.
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 13:42
The polar expedition ship at the centre of the Atlantic hantavirus outbreak
The MV Hondius is a Dutch-flagged polar expedition vessel operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, designed for some of the world’s most remote waters. The company describes it as the world’s first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel, built to navigate ice-strengthened seas around Antarctica and the Arctic.
The 107.6-metre ship typically takes passengers on expedition cruises lasting between 10 and 19 days, with prices starting from around $7,800 per person. Its passengers tend to be adventurous travellers aged between 45 and 65, though the company says guests range from their 30s to their 80s.
On this voyage, the Hondius had departed Ushuaia in southern Argentina — a common gateway to Antarctica — on 20 March, heading north toward Cape Verde off the west coast of Africa. It is now docked in Praia, the Cape Verdean capital, with around 150 tourists from various countries on board, according to South African health authorities.
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 13:30
‘Deeply worrying time’ for ship passengers and their families, foreign office says
The Foreign Office has said it is a “deeply worrying time” for everyone on board the MV Hondius and their families.
In a statement, a UK Government spokesperson said: “This is a deeply worrying time for all those onboard the MV Hondius and the families of those affected by the hantavirus outbreak.
“FCDO Consular teams have been stood up across the UK, South Africa, Spain and Portugal to support British nationals and we are working around the clock with our international partners, including the cruise ship operator.
“FCDO teams are also in contact with the family of a British man who was a passenger on the ship and is now in hospital in South Africa.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 13:11
Recap: Foreign Office in touch with cruise company on potential virus outbreak
The Foreign Office said it is monitoring reports of hantavirus outbreak aboard the MS Hondius cruise ship.
Here is the ministry statement in full:
“We are closely monitoring reports of a potential hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Hondius and stand ready to support British nationals if needed. We are in touch with the cruise company and local authorities.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 13:00
In pictures: MV Hondius barred from docking in Cape Verde
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 12:30
Oceanwide Expeditions issue update on ‘serious medical situation’
In a statement posted on Facebook just an hour ago, the cruise ship operator Oceanwide Expeditions has issued an update on the “serious medical situation” on MV Hondius.
The statement reads: “Two crew members on board continue to present acute respiratory symptoms, one mild and one severe. Both require urgent medical care. These crew members are of British and Dutch nationality. At this time, no other persons with symptoms have been identified.
“Oceanwide Expeditions can confirm, via the WHO, that a variant of hantavirus has been identified as being present in the female Dutch national who was reported to us on 27 April 2026 as having passed away after disembarkation in Saint Helena the day prior.
“This brings the total number of confirmed hantavirus cases to two. Dutch authorities are actively preparing a medical evacuation of the two symptomatic individuals, along with the individual associated with the guest who passed away on 2 May.”
Alex Ross5 May 2026 12:21NewerOlder