Hantavirus-hit ship: 20 UK citizens land in Manchester

A special flight carrying 20 British nationals, who were passengers aboard the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius, has landed safely in Manchester, England. The repatriation effort, coordinated with public health measures, brings home citizens who were on board the vessel docked in Tenerife, Spain.

Upon arrival, the evacuated Britons were transported to a hospital near Liverpool for necessary medical tests and will enter a quarantine period of up to 72 hours. This measure is crucial to monitor for any potential symptoms of the hantavirus, a rare disease typically spread through rodents, and to prevent further transmission.

The situation aboard the MV Hondius has been dire, with three passengers – a Dutch couple and a German woman – succumbing to the illness. The World Health Organization has confirmed six cases among the eight suspected, highlighting the severity of the outbreak. The successful evacuation and return of the British passengers are a testament to the swift response of the UK authorities and the international cooperation involved.

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Thank you to all those who worked around the clock to get passengers from MV Hondius back to the UK by special flight this evening with public health protections in place.