A third British individual has been identified with hantavirus on the most isolated island globally, with a population of only 250 residents.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported two confirmed cases of hantavirus among British nationals and is now investigating an additional suspected case on Tristan da Cunha island. Seven British citizens disembarked from the MV Hondius cruise ship, central to the rat virus outbreak, on the nearby St Helena island on April 24. It is believed that this third British individual was not part of the initial group of seven.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise operator, disclosed that the first hantavirus case was not officially confirmed until May 4.
The luxury cruise, originating from Argentina, made various stops, including Tristan da Cunha, a remote British Overseas Territory, on April 13.
Tragically, three individuals on the MV Hondius liner, an elderly Dutch couple, and a German woman, have succumbed to the virus. The first fatality, a 70-year-old Dutch man, passed away on April 11, with his body being disembarked in St Helena on April 24.
At that point, a total of 29 individuals left the cruise ship, including seven Britons. The Dutch man’s wife, aged 69, deteriorated during a flight to Johannesburg and sadly died on April 26 upon reaching an emergency department.
Additionally, a German woman passed away, while a British passenger was evacuated to South Africa and is currently in critical condition.
Tristan da Cunha, situated in the South Atlantic Ocean, boasts a population of 250, a single pub, and lacks an airport. The island is over 2,400km away from the nearest inhabited island of St Helena and approximately 2,800km from South Africa.
Hantavirus can be transmitted from animals to humans through contact with infected rodents and their excrements, saliva, or urine. The current outbreak has been linked to a birdwatching venture in Argentina that two passengers engaged in before boarding the ship.
Tristan also faces an issue with invasive black rats that threaten the island’s bird population, prompting the community to organize “ratting day” to combat this problem.
Remaining on the MV Hondius, British nationals are currently at sea. Following the outbreak and fatalities, the cruise attempted to dock in Cape Verde but was denied entry and is now en route to Tenerife, Spain.
The UKHSA has stated that none of the British individuals on the ship are exhibiting symptoms. Monitoring is ongoing, and the ship is anticipated to dock on Sunday, with evacuations scheduled to commence the following day.
The UKHSA has also confirmed that “