‘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
Cruise ship MV Hondius docked off Cape Verde port on Monday (Reuters)
Passengers were not allowed off the ship (Reuters)
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 12:21
Risk to global population low, WHO says
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is continuing to assess the risk of the hantavirus outbreak to the global population as low.
In a statement, officials said: “Based on the current information, including how hantavirus spreads, WHO assesses the risk to the global population from this event as low.
“We are working closely with health authorities from the countries involved and the ship’s operators to ensure passengers and crew get the information and support they need.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 11:30
‘No rats’ on board MV Hondius, reports say
There are no rats on board the MV Hondius, the World Health Organisation says it has been told.
Hantavirus typically spreads from infected rodents and only rarely passes between humans.
The agency said it is possible hantavirus may have spread between close contacts on board the ship.
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 11:00
Medics to board ship and evacuate two infected passengers, WHO says
Medics will be allowed to board the MV Hondius and evacuate two infected passengers, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
In an update on Tuesday, the agency said there may be some human-to-human transmission happening between close contacts on board the cruise ship.
It added the risk to the wider public remains low.
WHO said the ship will then continue to the Canary Islands.
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 10:38
Family of Dutch couple pay tribute
The family of a Dutch couple, both 69 years old, who were on the cruise ship MV Hondius and died last month have paid tribute to them.
The husband and wife, who have not been named, died on 11 and 26 April respectively. It is understood the husband became ill first and died on board, while his wife disembarked but later became unwell on her return journey and died. Tests confirmed she had contracted hantavirus.
In a statement obtained by Sky News, the couple’s family said they were from the village of Haulerwijk in the north of the Netherlands.
“The beautiful journey they experienced together was abruptly and permanently cut short,” they said.
“We are still unable to comprehend that we have lost them. We wish to bring them home and commemorate them in peace and privacy.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 10:30
Expert commentary: How may hantavirus have arisen on the MV Hondius?
Passengers on the MV Hondius may have picked up hantavirus after being in contact with infected rodents’ droppings in South America, an expert has said.
Dr Giulia Gallo, Postdoctoral Scientist in the Viral Glycoproteins Group, at the Pirbright Institute, said we cannot currently be sure where the contact happened.
“Ongoing investigations from the WHO and its collaborators will shed light on the events that led to the three suspected cases reported on the cruise ship,” he said.
“The most likely situation is that people travelling from South America came in contact with infected rodents’ dropping in this part of the world. At the moment, we cannot be sure where the contact happened: it might have been during touristic activities in the region, or infected rodents might have been present on the ship.
“New World hantaviruses are considered the more pathogenic to humans, as compared to Old World Hantaviruses, causing a disease called “Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome”, which is believed to be fatal in 40% of cases.
“It can take up to a few weeks for the symptoms to manifest.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 10:04
Watch: Cruise ship passenger makes emotional plea from hantavirus-struck vesselCruise ship passenger makes emotional plea from hantavirus-struck vessel
Nicole Wootton-Cane5 May 2026 10:00