‘Protecting Britishers is our top priority’: Keir Starmer reacts as hantavirus outbreak on Atlantic cruise kills three

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said his government is working closely with international partners to ensure the safety of British nationals aboard the stranded Antarctic expedition cruise MV Hondius, which has been hit by a suspected hantavirus outbreak.“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,” Starmer said.He added that the risk to the wider public remains “very low” and stressed that “protecting the British people is our number one priority.”The statement comes after at least three people died and several others fell seriously ill aboard the luxury expedition vessel, sparking an international health response involving Dutch, South African and other authorities.According to reports, the outbreak unfolded on the MV Hondius during a voyage from Argentina towards Cape Verde, with the World Health Organization confirming at least one positive hantavirus case and several suspected infections still under investigation.The first victim, a 70-year-old Dutch passenger, reportedly became severely ill during the journey and died after the ship reached waters near St Helena Island.His 69-year-old wife later died in a Johannesburg hospital after being medically evacuated.A third death has also been linked to the outbreak, while a 69-year-old British passenger remains in intensive care in Johannesburg. Two crew members are also receiving urgent medical attention as monitoring continues on board.A US travel blogger on the ship described growing fear and uncertainty among passengers. “It feels very real and deeply uncertain right now,” the blogger said, adding that travellers were struggling with isolation and delays in medical evacuations as the situation unfolded at sea.Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly rodent-borne disease, typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents or contaminated environments.It can cause severe respiratory complications, with early symptoms resembling flu before rapidly escalating in serious cases.The MV Hondius, carrying nearly 150 passengers and crew, is currently anchored off Cape Verde after authorities denied it permission to dock due to public health concerns.