{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreigw5nbhuff6odxfiwapvadkpwzemq2nlrjqepldc3gzo76hjfqp4e",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:oznbnvgr7dmvddiyvr7dih52/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml47dsv3oq52"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreieoq6jli4vziuqkrnn627awbzd6xp7vdiwmhk3f5y2nx2h3dk4d2i"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 179062
  },
  "path": "/health/hantavirus-outbreak-two-evacuated-medics-who",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-05T11:31:02.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Ordering takeaway often may speed up biological ageing by months, study suggests",
    "Britons warned using nasal decongestants for more than five days carries risks",
    "Doctors hail 'life-saving' shift for asthmatics as blue inhalers ditched for modern devices",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nMedical personnel have now boarded the MV Hondius cruise ship to remove two passengers infected with hantavirus, the World Health Organisation confirmed today.\n\nThe global health body indicated transmission between individuals in close proximity may be taking place aboard the Dutch-flagged vessel.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHowever, authorities believe those affected initially contracted the virus before embarking on the cruise.\n\nThe WHO stated: \"Based on the current information, including how hantavirus spreads, WHO assesses the risk to the global population from this event as low.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nReuters reported the organisation is closely monitoring the situation while coordinating with relevant national health authorities.\n\nThe outbreak has claimed three lives since the expedition voyage departed Argentina bound for Cape Verde on 1 April.\n\nA British passenger remains critically ill in intensive care, while a fellow countryman serving as crew requires urgent medical attention and is among those being evacuated.\n\nHealth officials have identified seven cases in total aboard the vessel.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Ordering takeaway often may speed up biological ageing by months, study suggests\n  * Britons warned using nasal decongestants for more than five days carries risks\n  * Doctors hail 'life-saving' shift for asthmatics as blue inhalers ditched for modern devices\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTwo infections have been laboratory confirmed, including a British national currently receiving treatment in South Africa and a Dutch woman who passed away on April 27 following her disembarkation.\n\nFive additional cases remain under investigation as suspected hantavirus infections.\n\nThe WHO emphasised it is collaborating with health authorities from the nations involved alongside the ship's operators to ensure all passengers and crew receive appropriate information and assistance.\n\nFollowing the evacuation of the two infected individuals, the MV Hondius will proceed onwards to the Canary Islands.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe organisation maintained whilst some person-to-person spread appears to be occurring in confined quarters, the broader public faces minimal danger from this outbreak.\n\nOfficials continue to assess the evolving situation, although their position on the limited global threat posed by the incident remains unchanged as of today's update.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Foreign Office described the circumstances as \"a deeply worrying time for all those onboard the MV Hondius and the families of those affected by the hantavirus outbreak\".\n\nConsular teams from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have been mobilised across multiple locations to assist British nationals caught up in the crisis.\n\nStaff in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Spain and Portugal are working continuously with international partners and the cruise operator.\n\nFCDO personnel are maintaining contact with relatives of the British man hospitalised in South Africa, who had been travelling as a passenger on the stricken vessel before his condition deteriorated.\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Two evacuated from cruise ship amid hantavirus outbreak as WHO probes possible onboard transmission"
}