Britain gets experimental drug from Japan to bolster hantavirus response
Britain has received an experimental antiviral drug from Japan to aid in its response to a hantavirus outbreak. The UK Health Security Agency confirmed that the drug, favipiravir, will enhance treatment stocks despite the low risk of wider transmission. The outbreak is linked to a cruise liner, with three deaths reported among confirmed cases.
- ▪The UK Health Security Agency announced the delivery of favipiravir from Japan as part of its hantavirus response.
- ▪The outbreak is associated with the Hondius cruise liner, which docked in Rotterdam on May 18.
- ▪Three deaths have been reported among eight confirmed cases linked to the ship.
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Britain gets experimental drug from Japan to bolster hantavirus responseSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxThe UK Health Security Agency said the supplies would bolster treatment stocks, even though the risk of wider transmission remains low.PHOTO: AFPPublished May 19, 2026, 02:12 AMUpdated May 19, 2026, 02:12 AMLONDON - Britain has received supplies of the antiviral drug favipiravir from Japan as part of its ongoing response to a deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the Hondius cruise liner, the UK Health Security Agency said on May 18.UKHSA said it accepted delivery of the drug, which remains experimental for use to treat hantavirus, over the weekend and that the supplies would bolster treatment stocks, even though the risk of wider transmission in the UK remained…
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