British passenger kicked off Canary Islands cruise over monkey pox scare
What should have been a relaxing cruise around the Canary Islands turned into a stressful and costly ordeal for a British tourist after a common skin infection was mistaken for Mpox, previously known as monkeypox.
James Scott, a 53-year-old hospital maintenance worker from Nottingham, was temporarily removed from the cruise ship after medical staff became concerned that the skin lesions on his body could be linked to the contagious virus. However, doctors later confirmed that the condition was actually ringworm, a fungal skin infection he had caught from two kittens he had recently adopted.
Scott had booked the cruise around the Canary Islands with his partner at a cost of around £2,500. Before travelling, he had already been diagnosed with the infection by his GP and was taking oral medication. His doctor had also provided a note explaining the treatment he was receiving.
According to Scott, he contacted the cruise company the day before departure to inform them about the condition and even asked whether the trip could be postponed for a few weeks until the infection cleared. He claims he was told that if he did not travel on the scheduled date, he would lose the money he had paid for the cruise.
The trip began with a flight to Tenerife, one of the main entry points for tourists visiting the Canary Islands. During the flight, Scott said the cabin pressure caused the blisters on his skin to begin leaking, which made the condition appear worse.
Concerned about the appearance of the lesions, he visited the ship’s doctor shortly after boarding to make sure everything was under control. However, after examining the lesions, medical staff believed there was a possibility he could be suffering from Mpox, a viral infection that can spread through close contact and remains under strict monitoring during international travel.
As a precaution, health protocols were immediately activated. Cruise ships are required to follow strict procedures in situations like this, as thousands of passengers share enclosed spaces for days at a time, increasing the risk of potential outbreaks.
Scott was removed from the vessel and taken to hospital, where he remained in isolation for around 48 hours while doctors assessed his condition.
Medical tests later ruled out Mpox and confirmed that he was suffering from ringworm, a relatively common fungal infection that can be passed to humans through infected animals, particularly cats and dogs. In Scott’s case, the infection was traced back to the two kittens he had recently adopted.
Although the infection can cause irritation, blisters and circular rashes on the skin, it is not related to viral illnesses such as Mpox.
Once doctors confirmed there was no serious risk of contagion, Scott was cleared to continue his journey. However, he had to fly to Fuerteventura to rejoin the cruise ship and continue the itinerary around the Canary Islands.
While he was eventually able to resume the holiday, Scott said the experience left him embarrassed and significantly out of pocket. He estimates the incident cost him close to £5,000 in additional expenses and travel complications.
Scott later described the ordeal as “a disaster from start to finish”, saying he had tried to be transparent with the cruise company about his condition before travelling and had hoped to postpone the trip rather than cancel it.
For its part, the cruise operator said that all health and safety protocols were followed to protect passengers and crew. According to the company, the traveller did not have an official medical certificate confirming he was fit to fly, which may be required in some cases when a visible medical condition is present.
Share:
