A British crew member who fell ill after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius in the Atlantic Ocean is about to get an urgent, helicopter-assisted exit from what sounds like the worst vacation ever. The crew member, along with a Dutch colleague, is being prepped for medical evacuation, with Dutch authorities running the show.

Oceanwide Expeditions, the tour operator, confirmed that the two crew members needed “urgent medical care” after developing respiratory symptoms - because nothing says luxury like gasping for air. Dr Maria Van Kerkhove from the World Health Organization (WHO) said the “highest priority” was to “medically evacuate these two individuals to make sure that they have the care that they [need],” which seems like a reasonable thing to prioritize.

The Spanish health ministry confirmed on Tuesday evening that it would welcome the MV Hondius in the Canary Islands “in three or four days.” Once there, medical teams will examine and treat all passengers and crew before sending them back to their home countries. “The World Health Organization has explained that Cape Verde is unable to carry out this operation,” the ministry said, adding that the Canary Islands are the closest location with the necessary capabilities. Spain, apparently, has a “moral and legal obligation” to help - which is handy, given that several Spanish citizens are also on board.

A British passenger with hantavirus symptoms - the disease is primarily found in rodents, because of course - is reportedly improving after being medically evacuated on 27 April to Johannesburg, where they remain in intensive care. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a post on X, said the government was putting “plans in place” for the onward travel of Britons stuck on the Dutch-flagged ship. “My thoughts are with those affected,” he wrote, because what else do you say when a rodent-born virus gatecrashes a luxury cruise?

So far, seven suspected cases have been identified, including three people who have died. Two of the cases have been confirmed as hantavirus. Van Kerkhove reported on Tuesday that “seven individuals of the 147 passengers and crew have been reported ill. Sadly, three have died.” One patient is in intensive care in South Africa (but improving), while two patients are still on the ship, waiting for evacuation to the Netherlands for treatment. Another suspected case has been reported, but that person is “currently doing well and is asymptomatic.”

“At this stage, there are no additional symptomatic people onboard,” Van Kerkhove added. “That said, the situation is being closely monitored and, as a precaution, passengers have been asked to remain in their cabins while disinfection and other public health measures are carried out.” So it’s basically a lockdown, but with more ocean views.

The ship, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde, carries 19 British nationals as passengers and four British crew members. A UK government spokesperson said: “We are working with the Dutch government on medical evacuation planning for sick passengers with the local authorities from a range of nationalities, but that includes one British national as well.” Medical teams from Cape Verde were providing support on Tuesday.

A Dutch passenger died onboard on 11 April, followed by his wife on 27 April, who later tested positive for a variant of hantavirus. On 2 May, a German passenger died, though the cause hasn’t been confirmed yet. Oceanwide Expeditions, in a statement, assured that the atmosphere on the ship “remains calm, with passengers generally composed” - which is either admirable stoicism or sheer denial. The company added that it was “working to provide clarity and reassurance to guests and expedite their disembarkation and medical screening.”

Hantavirus infections, usually spread by infected rodents’ urine or feces, can lead to severe respiratory illness and sometimes death. While rare, infections can spread between people, according to the WHO. There is no specific treatment or cure, but early medical attention improves survival chances - a fact the passengers of the MV Hondius are learning the hard way.