The group, who are thought to be residents of the UK overseas territories of St Helena and Ascension Island<\/a>, are being \u201cbrought to the UK to complete their self-isolation as a precautionary measure\u201d, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.<\/p>\n All those involved are British and are understood to include people who left the cruise ship in St Helena, along with medical staff who have been in contact with them.<\/p>\n The relocation involves \u201csome contacts who are already isolating, to places where they can safely self-isolate with access to appropriate specialist medical services\u201d, the UKHSA said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is because England\u2019s NHS high-consequence infectious disease network is well equipped to respond if they become unwell.<\/p>\n \u201cCurrently, none of these contacts are symptomatic and this is precautionary to support communities in UK overseas territories. We will set out where they will isolate in due course.\u201d<\/p>\n It comes as 20 British nationals from the MV Hondius, together with a German who is a UK resident, and a Japanese passenger, who have all been isolating at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral peninsula, prepare to leave the facility.<\/p>\n They were taken there on Sunday evenin, after the ship docked in Tenerife, for a three-day isolation and assessment period<\/a>. They will now isolate for a further 42 days.<\/p>\n The UKHSA said of this group: \u201cPublic health and clinical specialists have assessed each passenger\u2019s individual circumstances, and, where it is safe and possible, tailored support packages will be provided to enable people to isolate at home.<\/p>\n \u201cHealth protection teams across the UK will continue to monitor and support everyone after they leave the facility, with daily contact throughout the isolation period to ensure they can isolate safely.\u201d<\/p>\n The statement also said a \u201csmall number of individuals who have been isolating at home or elsewhere in England\u201d will also be assessed at Arrowe Park.<\/p>\n Previously, it was reported that two Britons who returned to the UK from the ship early have been isolating at home. They contacted officials after hearing about the outbreak of hantavirus.<\/p>\n It is understood that neither of these people have developed hantavirus symptoms but are going to stay at Arrowe Park while they continue to isolate.<\/p>\n Professor Robin May, chief scientific officer at\u202fUKHSA, said: \u201cWe are grateful\u00a0to the passengers\u00a0for their cooperation and patience\u00a0in what we appreciate has been a very unsettling period for all involved.<\/p>\n \u201cAs this first assessment period concludes, our priority remains to ensure everyone is safe and well supported, wherever they complete their isolation.<\/p>\n \u201cOur teams will continue to be there for all of the affected individuals every step of the way.<\/p>\n \u201cWe would ask the media and the public to respect the privacy of the passengers and their families at what has been a very difficult and distressing time for everyone involved.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier, a statement from the Ascension Island<\/a> Government said a \u201csmall number of individuals currently on St Helena who travelled on the vessel have been assessed as higher risk\u201d.<\/p>\n It said: \u201cWhile the likelihood of illness remains low, UKHSA has advised that they should be the subject of pre-emptive relocation to the UK to complete their self-isolation. This is being arranged and they will be fully supported on arrival.\u201d<\/p>\n One British man with hantavirus is still being cared for in Johannesburg and is thought to be improving, while another is in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n Another British national has hantavirus and is isolating where he lives on the remote island of Tristan da Cunha.<\/p>\n Separately, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) told a briefing on Tuesday that some passengers on the cruise ship had been \u201cfacing mental breakdown\u201d.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/06-10130d6fab2440df98f2652c48370e83.jpg\")
The MV Hondius cruise ship departs the port in Praia (AP)<\/p>\n![\"Passengers](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/d1d42b88fcd3c48229b08a97f9d9b631Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzc4Njk0MTU3-2.84576883.jpg\")
Passengers being taken to Arrowe Park Hospital (PA)<\/p>\n
![\"MV](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10-d9b7c49ad4274a6eb830a0833856112a.jpg\")
MV Hondius passengers being sprayed with disinfectant before boarding a plane (AP)<\/p>\n![\"Passengers](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10-4fec1018148b4d039c166753bbe1af3f.jpg\")
Passengers leave the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship (AP)<\/p>\n