Third British national feared to have hantavirus after MV Hondius outbreak

A third British citizen is feared to have hantavirus after an outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, according to the latest confirmed reports.

The person is on Tristan de Cunha, where the ship stopped in mid-April.

Two other British men are already confirmed to have the disease after staying on the vessel.

One, Martin Anstee, was evacuated to a hospital in the Netherlands and remains in stable condition.

The other British patient, described as a doctor, is in intensive care in South Africa.

Officials have said there are five confirmed cases in total, including one death.

The new suspected case adds to a cross-border health incident that has already involved evacuations and hospital treatment in several countries.

It also raises questions about whether more people linked to the voyage may yet develop symptoms.

The ship operator has said no guests or crew remaining on MV Hondius are showing symptoms of hantavirus.

It has also said three people have been evacuated from the liner and are being treated by medical professionals.

Oceanwide Expeditions said the ship is heading towards the Canary Islands to dock, with arrival expected in the early hours of Sunday, 10 May.

That suggests the voyage is still under way while health checks continue.

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