UK Government issues statement as two Brits self-isolating in UK after leaving hantavirus-infected cruise

The Government is 'working urgently' to support British nationals affected by the hantavirus outbreak linked to Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius.

The outbreak is believed to have originated during a birdwatching expedition in Ushuaia, Argentina, before passengers boarded the vessel for its voyage from Argentina to Cape Verde.

Some 19 British nationals were listed as passengers on the cruise, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde, with four British crew members.

Two Britons, a passenger and a crew member, are among those taken ill in the suspected outbreak, which has been linked to three deaths.

The crew member, understood to be a doctor on the ship, along with a Dutch crew member and another passenger were taken from the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius on Wednesday for onward travel to the Netherlands, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

(AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

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."

Spanish health officials said the British medic is now in a more 'stable condition' after previously being in a 'critical condition'.

The Associated Press reported that a medical evacuation flight arrived at Amsterdam’s airport on Wednesday evening.

(LADbible/Getty)

The passenger was medically evacuated from the ship on April 27 and taken to Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Foreign Office said that it was 'working urgently' to help get Britons 'safely home with proper protection for public health'.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The outbreak of hantavirus is very serious and deeply stressful for those affected and their families.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting added: “The outbreak of hantavirus on the MV Hondius will be worrying many.

“The Government are taking this incredibly seriously and are working urgently to support the British nationals involved.

“We are working across DHSC, UKHSA and the FCDO to ensure all those affected get home safely.”

The symptoms of hantavirus

Hantavirus can cause two life-threatening syndromes, according to the WHO: hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) and haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

The early symptoms of HCPS, which attacks the lungs, start one to eight weeks after infection, and include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Muscles aches
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea

Later symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in the chest

Early symptoms of HFRS, which affects the kidneys, start one to two weeks after infection, and include:

• Intense headaches
• Back pain
• Abdominal pain
• Fever/chills
• Nausea
• Blurred vision

Later symptoms include:

• Low blood pressure
• Internal bleeding
• Acute kidney failure