British citizens returning from the MV Hondius cruise ship, which experienced a confirmed outbreak of hantavirus, are set to undergo a 45-day isolation period upon their return to the UK. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has stated that while none of the passengers currently exhibit symptoms, they will be closely monitored.

The cruise vessel, which set sail from Argentina approximately a month ago, will dock in Tenerife, Spain, before repatriation arrangements are finalized. Three individuals have reportedly died due to complications linked to the outbreak: a 69-year-old Dutch woman who contracted the virus, and two others under investigation.

Two British passengers are currently self-isolating at home after potential exposure, while a 56-year-old British man was evacuated to a hospital in the Netherlands and is now in stable condition. Efforts for contact tracing are ongoing, monitoring anyone who may have come into contact with the returning passengers.

On arrival in the UK, British nationals will be housed at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral, previously used for isolating citizens returning from Wuhan during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. All returning passengers will undergo screening for symptoms before isolation, and those displaying any signs of illness will be transferred to separate facilities.

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized that the government takes this outbreak seriously but reassured the public that the risk remains low. The UKHSA is coordinating with international partners to ensure safe repatriation respecting public health guidelines, continuing contact tracing to mitigate further transmission risks.