Oxford News
Hantavirus risk explained by Oxford University expert
A British crew member, diagnosed with the hantavirus, is being prepared for medical evacuation from the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius.
Meanwhile, a British passenger was medically evacuated from the ship on April 27 and remains in isolation in hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.
A total of seven suspected cases have been identified, with three deaths so far, on the ship anchored off Cape Verde.
Sir Andrew, director of the Oxford vaccine group, said: “The Andes virus, which has been identified as the variant behind the outbreak, is known very rarely to spread between people with close contact.
“It means it is very easy to isolate people who are unwell and to follow quarantine and so on to avoid spread to other people.”
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Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group at the University of Oxford, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The Andes strain of this virus is common amongst rodents in countries like Argentina in South America.
“With this particular hantavirus, the Andes virus, it is known very rarely to spread between people with close contact, usually symptomatic individuals who are in close contact with each other.
“And that’s important because it means it is very easy to isolate people who are unwell and to follow sort of quarantine and so on to avoid spread to other people.
“It’s not like the situation we had with Covid-19 in the pandemic where people could spread even without symptoms, and therefore it was able to spread very easily in the population.”
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The ship, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde, has already had three deaths linked to hantavirus, with two Dutch passengers and one German passengers suspected to have passed from the disease.
Once the crew member, a Dutch colleague and another passenger had been evacuated the ship will start the three-day journey to the Canary Islands, docking in either Gran Canaria or Tenerife.
Dr Jacqueline Weyer, acting deputy executive director for National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa, said that Andes virus is a “slow burner” and “moves really slowly” which “allows a window of opportunity to contain the outbreak”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said plans are being made for the “safe onward travel” of Britons on the ship.
Hantavirus infections, which are usually spread by infected rodents’ urine or faeces, can lead to severe respiratory illness and can sometimes be fatal.
While it is rare, hantavirus infections can spread between people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Met Office has issued the advice amid an amber weather warning for extreme heat covering much of southern England and Wales, lasting from 1am on Monday to 11.59pm on Tuesday.
Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-30s, with the risk of overnight heat remaining above 20°C and only limited cooling after dark.
⚠️⚠️ Amber weather warning UPDATED ⚠️⚠️
Extreme heat across parts of England and Wales
Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 June
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/qjNu88R6uB
— Met Office (@metoffice) June 20, 2026
The Met Office said: “Following very warm weather on Sunday, very high temperatures are expected on Monday and Tuesday and will likely bring widespread impacts to people and infrastructure.
“In addition to high daytime maxima, temperatures overnight will remain very warm, especially in larger urban areas, and it will also feel humid.
“The very high temperatures may continue across a smaller area into the middle of the week, but there remains some uncertainty regarding the extent of this.
“There is an increased chance that some heat-sensitive systems and equipment may fail, leading to power cuts and the loss of other services to some homes and businesses.
“Switch off appliances – turn off items such as irons, ovens, electric fires and fryers as they could pose a hazard if the power comes back on when you are not there.”
Although power outages are more commonly linked to thunderstorms, the Met Office said the “extreme” temperatures could cause equipment and infrastructure to fail, leaving properties without electricity.
The Met Office also recommends keeping mobile phones fully charged in advance and checking on elderly neighbours to ensure they are prepared.
Fridges and freezers should be kept closed and covered with a blanket, as they will remain cold for several hours without power.
The Met Office also encourages vulnerable residents to sign up for the Priority Services Register, a free service offered by utility companies for older people, disabled people, or those reliant on electricity for medical or mobility equipment.
Temperatures are expected to be significantly higher than last week in many parts of the country, including the Midlands, northern England, and Scotland.
The Met Office advises that anyone who relies on electricity to power healthcare equipment should have a plan in place to manage during an outage.
They should confirm with care providers, clinical teams, or equipment suppliers that they understand how to use equipment safely and what steps to take if power is lost.
Are you looking forward to the heatwave or dreading it? Let us know in the comments
Smyths Toys Superstores is running the nationwide promotion today (June 20), following the latest film’s cinema release.
Children named Woody, Buzz, Rex, or Jessie – including variations such as Jess and Jessica – can claim a free Toy Story 5 figure in-store while stocks last.
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The offer is available at stores across the UK, including Smyths Toys Superstores just over the Oxfordshire border in Swindon, as well as Aylesbury.
The giveaway has been launched to celebrate the “enduring popularity” of the Toy Story franchise, which first hit screens in 1995.
They also hope to “inspire a new generation of children with its unforgettable characters.”
A Smyths Toys Superstores spokesman said that in order to redeem the offer, parents and guardians must present valid proof of name and age.
Their stall, run in collaboration with the NIHR Clinical Research Facility, included a creative paper flower-making activity using rainbow-coloured paper to help start conversations.
Visitors shared thoughts on taking part in research, with many expressing interest in opportunities that benefit others and give back to the community.
Participants identified time constraints and discomfort with unfamiliar settings as barriers, and suggested improvements such as flexible or remote participation options and clearer information about the research process.
Jo Searle, memory and cognition research delivery team lead, said: “It was an amazing, colourful day where we had the pleasure of meeting so many people interested in our research.”
Layla Moran, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, visited the stand to show her support.
Angela Conlan, public and patient involvement, engagement and participation lead at the NIHR CRF, said: “We were honoured to return to Oxford Pride again this year to showcase the important research delivered by the Trust and CRF: Oxford Health at such a fun event.
“This insight is invaluable to our work, helping us better understand awareness of research and improve how we communicate it to the public.”
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