A hantavirus outbreak on a luxury cruise liner has resulted in nine probable cases and three fatalities. Experts are conducting a global track-and-trace exercise to contain the virus.
Key points
Outbreak of a lethal hantavirus strain reported on a cruise liner
Nine probable cases and three fatalities identified
149 passengers and crew remained on the ship
29 passengers from 12 nationalities had disembarked
Experts are conducting a global track-and-trace exercise
Mentioned in this story
World Health OrganizationMichael SegalovDr Charlotte HammerRobyn Vinter
Good morning. This is Michael Segalov – as of today, I’ll be popping up into your inboxes from time to time.
There’ll be no shortage of infighting, intrigue and briefing in Westminster this week, as the dust settles on the government’s disastrous election results. We’ll be bringing you the latest on backbench MP Catherine West’s (likely futile) attempt to topple Keir Starmer, alongside the rest of the fallout.
Today, though, we kick off with something else … the race to contain a rare, deadly virus.
On 2 May, the outbreak of a lethal hantavirus strain onboard a luxury cruise liner was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). As of this morning, nine probable cases have been identified, with three fatalities. It has left experts scrambling to conduct a track-and-trace exercise of global proportions. While 149 passengers and crew remained on the ship once the virus had been identified, at least 29 passengers of 12 nationalities had already disembarked. Seven of them were British.
For today’s First Edition, I spoke to infectious diseases epidemiologist Dr Charlotte Hammer, and our reporter Robyn Vinter who is on the ground in Tenerife where the ship has been evacuated. But first, the headlines.
Five big stories
UK politics | Keir Starmer faces a fight for his political life in the next 24 hours as potential Labour leadership rivals from Wes Streeting to Angela Rayner position themselves for a contest.
Iran conflict | Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian response to a US peace proposal as “totally unacceptable”, on a day the ceasefire showed signs of fraying as drone strikes were reported around the region and Benjamin Netanyahu warned the war was “not over”.
UK news | Labour has accused Nigel Farage of attempting to dodge scrutiny as the Reform leader continued to face questions over the £5m gift he received from a crypto billionaire shortly before the last general election.
Q&A
What is the current status of the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise liner?
As of now, there are nine probable cases of hantavirus and three fatalities reported from the outbreak on the cruise liner.
How many passengers were affected by the hantavirus outbreak?
At least 149 passengers and crew remained on the ship, while 29 passengers from 12 nationalities had already disembarked before the virus was identified.
What actions are being taken to contain the hantavirus spread?
Experts are conducting a global track-and-trace exercise to identify and monitor individuals who may have been exposed to the hantavirus.
Who is involved in the response to the hantavirus outbreak?
Infectious diseases epidemiologist Dr. Charlotte Hammer and reporter Robyn Vinter are among those involved in covering and responding to the outbreak.
UK’s Keir Starmer faces likely challenge following Labour’s election defeat
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer may face a leadership challenge after the Labour Party's significant loss in local elections, with over 30 MPs calling for his resignation. Backbencher Catherine West is leading efforts to replace him if no other candidates emerge.
See every story in News — including breaking news and analysis.
Business | The full nationalisation of British Steel is expected to be announced in the king’s speech this week, a year after the government took over the daily running of the loss-making business from its Chinese owner.
Health news | Experts have called for a four-day week in the UK as research suggests those who work longer hours are more likely to be obese.
In depth: ‘You follow and monitor anyone who may have been exposed to the virus’
Every precaution is being taken with the remaining passengers and crew of the MV Hondius.
Every precaution is being taken with the remaining passengers and crew of the MV Hondius. Photograph: Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images
Departing Argentina on 1 April, passengers onboard the MV Hondius embarked on an Atlantic adventure to Cape Verde, via some of the world’s most remote locations. A dream holiday turned into the stuff of nightmares when a deadly pathogen found its way on to the ship.
Within days, symptoms were showing: fever and gastrointestinal issues, pneumonia and breathing difficulties. On 11 April, a 70-year-old Dutch man died onboard, while his 69-year-old wife died two weeks later in Johannesburg, having travelled to South Africa. A third passenger, a German woman, died on 2 May. Currently, there are at least a further six probable or confirmed cases from this outbreak, including the ship’s doctor and one of its guides. Three of those patients are British.
When the ship arrived in Cape Verde, authorities refused to let it dock. On 6 May, it headed to the Canary Islands. Anchored beyond the shores of Tenerife, the first tranche of passengers disembarked yesterday, under tightly controlled conditions. The remaining 22 British nationals onboard (19 passengers, three crew) were taken to shore, with 20 of them transferred to a Merseyside hospital to isolate.
What is hantavirus?
Dr Charlotte Hammer leads an infectious disease research team at Cambridge University, and previously worked on the frontline in public health, investigating outbreaks just like this one. “All the evidence suggests this is a known strain of hantavirus,” says Hammer, “which makes the mission to contain it far easier”.
First identified in the mid-twentieth century, hantaviruses are zoonotic – primarily infecting rodents and occasionally transmitting to humans.
The specific strain onboard is known as the Andes hantavirus. It can cause a severe and often fatal lung disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. “It’s transmitted from specific species of rodent,” says Hammer, “and we already have evidence of it transmitting from human to human. But being on a boat with 20 plus nationalities represented makes it a challenge in both epidemiology and international coordination.”
The disease detectives
Once the WHO identified and confirmed the outbreak, Hammer says, attention turned to the patients’ stories. “Hypotheses developed to establish how transmission happened,” says Hammer. “Systematically, you eliminate all incorrect options. Simultaneously, we are studying published reports and studies on this strain of virus. Past and present evidence come together to form a coherent picture. It’s why we call these experts ‘disease detectives’.”
As the ship is flagged to the Netherlands, Dutch authorities were involved early. “En route to the Canary islands, Spanish authorities also stepped in. The WHO leads the international coordination, with all countries affected or with nationals onboard contributing. There’ll be a rolling team working 24/7.”
Currently, says Hammer, the most likely scenario “is that one or two people caught the virus while travelling in South America prior to embarking, and they brought it on to the ship, with limited person-to-person transmission on the ship itself”.
Anatomy of an outbreak
From that point on, containment is key. “You follow and monitor anyone who may have been exposed to the virus,” says Hammer. “As a precautionary measure, that includes everyone who embarked on the cruise.”
While utterly miserable for the passengers themselves, the outbreak occurring onboard a cruise ship is a massive benefit for public health. “Cabins are tight and small with limited air circulation,” says Hammer. “Passengers remain in close, sustained contact for extended periods of time.” But, once the outbreak was identified, keeping the remaining passengers onboard until their tightly choreographed departure was organised was relatively straightforward.
Slightly trickier was the task of tracking down the 29 passengers who disembarked early. “But thanks to the isolated nature of the locations where they departed the ship,” Hammer says, “all will have had some sort of traceable ticket. Plus, they have a rather pressing motivation to identify themselves to the authorities – it’s a scary disease. And given how much attention this story has received globally, the chances they’ll be unaware are low.”
Crisis Averted
In short, says Hammer, there’s little risk posed to the public. “This type of virus requires significant close contact for human-to-human transmission to occur.” And while there is a short, initial period of milder symptoms, the onset of serious illness is rapid. “If this was a virus like Covid – with relatively easy pre-symptomatic transmission in transient contexts – it would be close to impossible to control by this point.”
Overnight, two more passengers displayed symptoms of the virus and another tested positive. One French national showed symptoms while on a chartered flight to Paris, leading all five nationals onboard to be placed in “strict isolation”. US authorities said that of the 17 Americans returning home, one has tested positive but does not have symptoms, while another has mild symptoms. Both were “travelling in the plane’s biocontainment units out of an abundance of caution,” the US Department of Health and Human Services said.
Robyn Vinter has been on the ground in Tenerife all weekend. “Throughout Sunday, dozens of people were brought to shore in blue plastic ponchos and face coverings,” Robyn tells me. “From where I was standing, it was hard to gauge their expressions. But their body language portrayed exhausted, even bewildered, people. By early evening, flights had taken off bound for several countries, including the UK. Today, the process will happen all over again for passengers from the US and Australia, who will be the last passengers to leave. After that, the seas are due to get too rough, and the ship will return to the Netherlands.”
The experts stress there is no need to panic about this specific outbreak. This virus has been known for decades. And while rare, it is not uncommon. “Argentina sees50-100 cases annually,” says Hammer, “even if we aren’t used to dealing with hantaviruses of this type in Europe. I would be surprised if any of this was a massive challenge for the authorities beyond the practical logistics.” The WHO has repeatedly made clear this is not the start of a pandemic, with risks to public health “absolutely low”.
Still, this scare should offer a moment for reflection. “Another pandemic is certainly likely,” says Hammer, “even if the timescale remains unknown.” Much like this incident, she believes “it will probably originate from a zoonotic virus through human-to-animal contact, and through some sort of major transport hub.” A global, coordinated response will prove vital. Meanwhile, the United States has slashed funding for infectious disease research under Trump, and quit the WHO. Last year, Argentina followed suit. This relatively contained drama feels like a rather ominous warning.
Your election questions, answered
Keir Starmer is under immense pressure to stand down.
Keir Starmer is under immense pressure to stand down. Photograph: Maja Smiejkowska/PA
From 10am today, Guardian political journalists Jessica Elgot and Peter Walker will be answering your questions about the fallout from last week’s elections in an AMA over on Reddit’s r/ukpolitics forum. It’s not too late to get your questions in by heading here. (And if you have any questions you’d like First Edition to dig into in more detail hit reply on this email, or contact us on First.Edition@theguardian.com).
What else we’ve been reading
The celebration of ‘half-birthdays’.
The celebration of ‘half-birthdays’. Photograph: shironagasukujira/Getty Images
If you share your birthday with another significant date – Christmas Day, Valentine’s, St Patrick’s day – celebrating a half birthday might be just the ticket. What has led to the rise of this new special event? Katy Vans, newsletters team
Spend your morning salivating over this colossal collection of sandwich-based stories (egg and cress, anyone?). Michael
As someone trying to learn Welsh, a language legislated against for centuries before being added to the school curriculum in the 1990s, I found this piece by Sophie Smith Galer on what it means to lose a language, a must-read. Katy
In schools and universities across the globe, educators are confronting the presence of AI. This account from one professor dealing with students producing “words without work” is fascinating. Michael
It is the 25th anniversary of BalletBoyz, formed the same year as smash hit film Billy Elliot brought male dancing to the masses. Despite this there is still some stigma around men dancing on stage with other men. Katy
Sport
Leandro Trossard celebrates scoring for Arsenal.
Arsenal led 1-0 through Leandro Trossard’s 83rd -minute goal. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Football | Arsenal kept control of the title race with a 1-0 win but West Ham had an added-time equaliser ruled out for a foul on David Raya amid penalty area wrestling.
Football | Goals from Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres fired Barcelona to the La Liga title with their 2-0 victory at home to Real Madrid in the clásico.
Women’s cricket | England’s biggest summer got off to an underwhelming start at Chester-le-Street, as they limped to a one-wicket win in the first one-day international against New Zealand.
The front pages
The Guardian front page 11 May 2026
Guardian front page 11 May 2026 Photograph: Guardian
“Labour leadership rivals circle as Starmer tries to cling to power”, is the Guardian’s splash today. The Times goes with “PM fights to save his skin after Rayner ultimatum”, and the FT says “Starmer fights for his survival as threat of leadership challenge mounts”.
The Telegraph has “Streeting: I’m ready to be PM”. The i Paper leads with “Today or never to save your job, Labour MPs tells Starmer”, the Mail says “Streeting and Rayner ready for Starmer’s fall” and the Mirror’s headline on the same topic is “Change … before it’s too late”. “Fight or go, challenger tells Starmer”, is the Metro’s front page. The Express leads with “How dare he, PM plots to rip up Brexit.” The Sun deviates from politics with: “Strictly: it’s Emma”
Today in Focus
The Riverwalk, Millbank, London, a luxury Thames-side apartment building where British teenager Zac Brettler, 19, fell from the 5th floor in 2019 in mysterious circumstances.
Zac Brettler was found dead on the riverbank in central London. Photograph: James Veysey/Shutterstock
The mysterious death of the teenager who posed as a Russian billionaire
The journalist Patrick Radden Keefe tells Nosheen Iqbal how he tried to unravel the double life and tragic death of 19-year-old Zac Brettler – and what it tells us about London’s dark underbelly.
Cartoon of the day | Tom Gauld
A cartoon about a child kidding their father about reading now being called booksmaxxing.
A cartoon about a child kidding their father about reading now being called booksmaxxing. Illustration: Tom Gauld
The Upside
A bit of good news to remind you that the world’s not all bad
An older man with a cane is sat in the front seat of a car smiling and a woman is stood next to his open door.
Tilton’s electric car club allows residents to hire vehicles by the hour or the day. Photograph: Green Fox Community Energy
Tilton, a small village in Leicestershire, launched a community electric car‑sharing scheme after residents struggled with transport access. The club offers two shared EVs and volunteer drivers, improving mobility for locals. Miriam Stoate, a local regenerative farmer, worked with other volunteers and community energy organisation Green Fox to set up this new scheme.
In the UK transport is the largest source of carbon emissions, and despite rising EV sales, experts warn progress is too slow. Even if the government invests heavily in rail and buses, they won’t meet climate goals without reducing overall car use. Shared EV fleets and community‑led solutions are essential to cutting emissions and congestion.
Says Stoate: “We now have a viable transport option that everyone can use without buying more and more cars – and it has helped to build our community, too.”
Sign up here for a weekly roundup of The Upside, sent to you every Sunday
Bored at work?
And finally, the Guardian’s puzzles are here to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
