Brit MV Hondius cruise passengers face 'up to eight weeks isolation' after Hantavirus exposure fears

Two British nationals have been told to remain in isolation for up to eight weeks following possible exposure to hantavirus on the stricken MV Hondius, health authorities have announced. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that two people who had been on board the cruise have returned to Britain and are self-isolating after not showing any symptoms. The pair had disembarked the ship at St Helena during the ship's stop there between 22 and 24 April. The UKHSA said it was tracing the pair's contacts from the journey home and stressed there was no significant threat to the broader public. Eight-week isolation period Prof Robin May, the UKHSA's chief scientific officer, said: "We're going to ask everybody who's exposed to self-isolate but we'll be working very closely to support them on that with regular testing and all the support you'd expect us to put in place. "At the moment we are working — as you would expect — on the most cautious scenario, which is a potential eight-week isolation. Over the coming days and weeks we will be monitoring these people very closely and we may be able to adjust that." He added: "That's obviously for their protection as well as everybody around them." The latest from UKHSA Three people, including one British national, with suspected hantavirus have been evacuated from the Hondius in order to receive medical care in the Netherlands The remaining British nationals can now be repatriated once the ship docks at its next destination if they do not develop symptoms. None of the British citizens onboard are currently reporting symptoms but they are being closely monitored. The FCDO is making arrangements for these individuals to return to the UK, where UKHSA is working with government to support them to isolate with regular testing and contact with healthcare professionals. UKHSA is aware of two people who have returned to the UK independently having been on board the MV Hondius. Neither of these individuals is currently reporting symptoms. They are receiving advice and support from UKHSA and have been advised to self-isolate. UKHSA are supporting a small number of individuals identified as close contacts of those on the boat. They are being offered support and are also self-isolating. None are reporting any symptoms. The risk to the general public remains very low. Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director for Epidemic and Emerging Infections at UKHSA said: "Our thoughts are with all those affected by the hantavirus outbreak onboard the MV Hondius. "It’s important to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains very low. We are standing up arrangements to support, isolate and monitor British nationals from the ship on their return to the UK and we are contact tracing anyone who may have been in contact with the ship or the hantavirus cases to limit the risk of onward transmission. "UKHSA will continue to work closely with government partners to offer all necessary support." What does the WHO say about the hantavirus outbreak? The WHO has assessed the wider public health risk as low, noting the virus is an unlikely candidate for person-to-person spread except in cases of prolonged close contact. Where and how the outbreak began remains unknown, and health officials have yet to determine whether infections have spread beyond those who were on board. According to the WHO, the three evacuees — among them a Dutch crew member aged 41 and a 65-year-old German national alongside the British man — have been transferred to the Netherlands for treatment. Follow our live blog for the latest updates by clicking here.