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Two Brits are self-isolating at home in the UK after potential exposure to the hantavirus on the cruise ship that was hit by an outbreak. The pair were on board the MV Hondius, which departed from Argentina last month, but left the vessel earlier in its journey and do not have symptoms.

The Britons disembarked when the ship docked at St Helena between April 22 and April 24 before flying back to the UK via Johannesburg, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). After hearing about confirmed cases onboard, the pair contacted health officials themselves.

The UKHSA said people they may have come into contact with during their journey home are now being traced, although officials stressed the risk to the general public remains "very low". Despite concerns from local officials, Spanish authorities have granted permission for the ship to dock in the Canary Islands

About 150 passengers and crew remain onboard the cruise ship under "strict precautionary measures", according to operator Oceanwide Expeditions.

The company said 19 passengers and four crew members onboard are British nationals.

A 56-year-old British passenger was among three people evacuated from the vessel on Wednesday and is understood to be in a stable condition.

Spain's health minister had earlier identified him as a doctor, although that is now understood to be incorrect.

The UKHSA said British passengers still aboard the ship are expected to be flown back to the UK on a chartered flight, likely departing from the Canary Islands, as long as they remain symptom-free.

Health officials said those returning could then face a period of self-isolation or quarantine lasting for up to six weeks, depending on when they were last potentially exposed to the virus.

The World Health Organization said the risk to the wider public remains low, with hantavirus only rarely spreading from person to person and typically requiring close contact.