British health authorities have confirmed two British nationals have tested positive for hantavirus aboard the Dutch expedition cruise ship MV Hondius, with a third person also suspected infected. Three people have died in connection with the outbreak.
MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, has been at sea for several weeks. The first death occurred on April 11 at Saint Helena, with the vessel subsequently refused port entry at Cape Verde, where it has been anchored while authorities coordinated a response. Spain has now confirmed it will receive the vessel, and AIS data from ShipAtlas confirms MV Hondius is underway toward Tenerife with an estimated arrival of May 10.
The vessel has 149 people on board, including 17 Americans and 4 Canadians. WHO is coordinating the medical evacuation of two symptomatic crew members still aboard. A British passenger with a confirmed positive test remains in critical condition at a clinic in Johannesburg following earlier evacuation.
The source of the outbreak has not been confirmed. Investigation is ongoing under WHO coordination and relevant national health authorities.
