Seven British people disembarked from the MV Hondius hantavirus cruise ship mid-way through the voyage alongside a woman who later died — and health officials say one of the Britons has still not been traced
A Briton who departed the hantavirus cruise ship early is missing as health authorities attempt to locate the individual.
Seven British passengers left the MV Hondius halfway through the voyage alongside a woman who subsequently died, it has been revealed. A total of 29 people disembarked when the vessel docked at the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena, including a Dutch woman who fell ill during onward travel and later passed away.
The woman was escorting her husband’s body, which was being repatriated following his death aboard the ship on April 11. A spokesperson for the UK Health Security Agency confirmed to The Mirror that of the seven Britons, two are now self-isolating back in the UK, four remain in St Helena and attempts are continuing to locate the remaining person, reports the Mirror.
They said: “We are aware of seven British Nationals who disembarked the ship at St Helena on April 24. Two of these individuals are now self-isolating in the UK while the others have not yet returned.
“Four of these individuals remain in St Helena and we are in touch with the relevant health officials to provide advice on contact management. Tracing efforts are ongoing for the seventh individual, who we know has not yet returned to the UK.”
The 30 people who left the ship in St Helena were from 12 nations. The cruise liner is now bound for the Canary Islands after calling at Cape Verde. Five of eight suspected hantavirus cases from the vessel have now been confirmed.
Nineteen Brits were recorded as passengers on the MV Hondius, which was voyaging from Argentina to Cape Verde, along with four British crew members.
Two Britons have been medically evacuated including crew member Martin Anstee, 56. The expedition guide and ex-police officer was flown to the Netherlands for specialist medical treatment after being airlifted from the ship on Wednesday.
A British passenger, believed to be a 69 year old man, was medically evacuated to South Africa on 27 April and is currently receiving care at a private health facility in Sandton, Johannesburg.
This follows UK health experts stating that British passengers on board will be asked to self-isolate in the UK for 45 days.
Professor Robin May, chief scientific officer at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said “for the broader public, not directly involved in this cruise ship, the risk here is really negligible”.
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