Keir Starmer posted an update on social media (stock photo) (Image: Getty)
Keir Starmer has shared a message of support to all those caught up in the hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius as he issued an update on the situation today, May 5. Three passengers have died, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed.
Hantavirus is a rare yet potentially fatal disease, typically transmitted to humans through exposure to the urine, faeces, or saliva of infected rodents. Those affected may experience fever, gastrointestinal complaints, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The tragedy unfolded aboard the Dutch cruise ship during a voyage across the South Atlantic.
The vessel is reported to be carrying nearly 150 passengers and crew, among them more than 20 British nationals. The WHO believes people were infected on the boat before joining the cruise, and that no rats have been found on board.
The WHO has assessed the risk to the global population from this event as low. In an update posted on X, Keir Starmer said: “My thoughts are with those affected by the hantavirus outbreak onboard the MV Hondius.
“We are working closely with international partners to support British nationals on board and we’re putting plans in place for their safe onward travel.” Sharing an update regarding the risk to the general public, the Prime Minister said: “The risk to the wider public remains very low – protecting the British people is our number one priority.”
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Investigations are underway, as officials race to determine the source of exposure. MV Hondius departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on 1 April 2026. It followed an itinerary across the South Atlantic, with multiple stops including mainland Antarctica, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena, and Ascension Island.
Passengers and crew remain onboard the MV Hondius in the Atlantic Ocean, off Cape Verde. Passengers onboard have been advised to practice maximal physical distancing and remain in their cabins where possible.
Van Kerkhove told BBC Breakfast that the WHO is treating two crew members – one British and one Dutch – who were on board with respiratory symptoms. Authorities are coordinating the operation to remove the two crew members.
My thoughts are with those affected by the hantavirus outbreak onboard the MV Hondius.
We are working closely with international partners to support British nationals on board and we’re putting plans in place for their safe onward travel.
The risk to the wider public remains…
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 5, 2026
In an update on May 4, 2026, the WHO said it had identified seven cases of hantavirus: two laboratory-confirmed cases and five suspected cases. The illness onset reportedly occurred between April 6 and 28, 2026.
The WHO website says: “The outbreak is being managed through coordinated international response, and includes in-depth investigations, case isolation and care, medical evacuation and laboratory investigations. Human hantavirus infection is primarily acquired through contact with the urine, faeces, or saliva of infected rodents. It is a rare but severe disease that can be deadly.
“Although uncommon, limited human to human transmission has been reported in previous outbreaks of Andes virus (a specific species of hantavirus). WHO currently assesses the risk to the global population from this event as low and will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and update the risk assessment.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
