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Several passengers from theMV Hondius are currently receiving care at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral, where they are being closely observed and undergoing testing following ahantavirus outbreak aboard the luxury cruise vessel that has led to multiple confirmed infections and fatalities.

While hantaviruses typically spread only via infected rodents, the particular strain identified on board has previously demonstrated the capability for human-to-human transmission. The World Health Organisation has outlined crucial preventative measures, with avoiding contact with infected people and rodents being paramount.

Other "effective measures" according to the WHO:

• keeping homes and workplaces clean
• sealing openings that allow rodents to enter buildings
• storing food securely
• using safe cleaning practices in areas contaminated by rodents
• avoiding dry sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings
• dampening of contaminated areas before cleaning
• strengthening hand hygiene practices

Historically, person-to-person transmission has necessitated close and extended contact, predominantly impacting household members and intimate partners during the initial stages of infection.

Typically, the virus transfers to humans through contact with contaminated urine, faeces or saliva from infected rodents. The WHO highlights that such exposure may occur while cleaning inadequately ventilated spaces, sleeping in rodent-infested accommodation, or through occupational activities in agriculture and forestry sectors.

In the most recent WHO update, director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated: "While this is a serious incident, WHO assesses the public health risk as low. It's possible that more cases may be reported."

The UKHSA provided reassurance on 11th May that rigorous infection control protocols have been implemented as the passengers undergo their isolation period, which may extend to 45 days with routine testing and support from the NHS and UKHSA.

Twenty British citizens and one German national residing in the UK are under observation in Wirral, alongside one Japanese passenger who was returned at the Japanese Government's request to complete their isolation period in the UK.

Overall, three people have died linked to the outbreak. One British man with hantavirus is still being cared for in Johannesburg and another is in the Netherlands. Another British national has hantavirus and is isolating where he lives on the remote South Atlantic Island of Tristan da Cunha.

Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Officer at UKHSA, commented: "Throughout this incident, we have worked closely with government departments including FCDO, DHSC, MHCLG and MOD alongside international partners to support the safe repatriation of British passengers. The safety and wellbeing of those passengers remains our priority. The risk remains very low for members of the general public.

Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said: "I want to thank all those who have worked to bring our British nationals home and the NHS workers now caring for them at Arrowe Park Hospital - their dedication and professionalism show our NHS at its very best.

"None of the passengers are symptomatic but we will monitor them closely over the next 72 hours at the hospital, as part of a precautionary isolation period. With no cases or symptoms among them and our stringent monitoring and isolation measures, the risk to the public remains extremely low."

Hantavirus symptoms may not manifest for several weeks following initial contact, with early warning signs often mistaken for influenza or other routine respiratory illnesses.

As the condition advances, it can swiftly deteriorate, leading to fluid build-up in the lungs, haemorrhaging complications, or renal failure, depending on the particular strain contracted.