A convoy of buses and ambulances carrying British passengers from a cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak arrived at a hospital near Liverpool on Sunday evening (May 10).

The 22 British passengers and staff from the 'MV Hondius' cruise ship were taken to Arrowe Park hospital for an initial isolation period as a precautionary measure.

The passengers will be assessed and tested during an initial stay of up to 72 hours at a managed setting, a joint statement from health departments in the north-west of England, police and a local council said.

The UK Health Security Agency had said on Friday (May 8) that all passengers and crew will be asked to isolate for 45 days on their return home.

Hantavirus, which is usually spread by rodents but can in rare cases be transmitted person-to-person, was first detected on May 2, 21 days after the first passenger died, by South African health officials testing a British man who was in intensive care. Two other former passengers have died since.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MAY 10, 2026)(REUTERS - Access all)

1. A CONVOY OF BUSES AND AMBULANCES CARRYING PASSENGERS FROM HANTAVIRUS HIT CRUISE SHIP ARRIVING AT ARROWE PARK HOSPITAL FOR QUARANTINE