health
Unwell British crew member to be ‘urgently’ evacuated from cruise ship after hantavirus cases
Briton and Dutch colleague to be removed from MV Hondius, as ship sets course for Canary Islands after deal struck with Spain
TL;DR
- Two crew members, one British and one Dutch, require urgent medical evacuation from the MV Hondius due to suspected hantavirus.
- The ship is heading to the Canary Islands, Spain, for medical assessment and treatment of all passengers and crew.
- Seven suspected hantavirus cases have been reported among the 147 people on board, resulting in three deaths.
- Two of the reported cases have been confirmed as hantavirus.
- A British passenger, initially evacuated to Johannesburg, is reported to be improving.
- Spain has agreed to receive the ship due to its proximity and medical capabilities, fulfilling a moral and legal obligation.
- The UK government is coordinating with international partners for the safe onward travel of British nationals.