british tourist quarantined canaries cruise fungal infection

British Tourist Quarantined on Canaries Cruise Over Fungal Infection

Dream Holiday Turns to Nightmare After Medical Mix-Up

A British tourist’s island-hopping holiday in the Canary Islands became an uncomfortable and expensive ordeal after a common skin infection was mistaken for mpox, popularly known as monkeypox. The incident involved James Scott, a 53-year-old hospital maintenance worker from Nottingham, who was temporarily removed from a cruise ship after crew medics suspected he showed symptoms of a contagious disease. It was later confirmed that his skin lesions were in fact ringworm, a fungal infection he had contracted from his newly adopted kittens, according to reports in The Sun.

Pre-Travel Concerns Ignored

The misunderstanding led to the passenger having to leave the ship and spend two days in quarantine at a hospital before he could rejoin the voyage by travelling to Fuerteventura. Scott had booked the cruise around the Canarian archipelago with his partner for approximately £2,500 (around €3,000). He was already receiving medical treatment for the skin infection before the trip began. His GP had prescribed oral medication for ringworm and provided him with a letter explaining the treatment he was undergoing.

Armed with this information, the tourist decided to proceed with the holiday and contacted the cruise company the day before departure to inform them of his situation. According to his account, he also asked if it was possible to postpone the trip for a few weeks until the infection had fully cleared. However, he claims the company told him he must board on the scheduled date or forfeit the cost of the trip.

Flight Pressure Worsens Condition

The journey began with a flight to Tenerife, one of the main tourist gateways to the islands. During the flight, something unexpected happened. Scott explained that the cabin pressure caused the blisters on his skin to begin weeping, worsening the appearance of the lesions. Hours after boarding the cruise, concerned about the state of his skin, he decided to consult the ship’s doctor to check everything was under control. That medical visit was the start of a chain of events that would end with his temporary evacuation from the cruise.

Mpox Scandal Triggers Quarantine

After examining the skin lesions, the ship’s medical staff considered it possible they were dealing with mpox, a viral disease that can be transmitted through close contact and which has prompted special health vigilance on international travel in recent years. Faced with the suspicion of a potentially contagious disease, the standard health protocols for such situations were activated. These protocols are designed to prevent possible outbreaks on board, especially in environments like cruise ships where thousands of passengers share enclosed spaces for several days.

As a precautionary measure, Scott was taken off the ship and transferred to a hospital, where he remained in isolation for approximately 48 hours while his condition was assessed.

Ringworm Diagnosis and Costly Reunion

After medical tests at the hospital, healthcare professionals confirmed he did not have mpox, but a fungal infection known as ringworm—a relatively common skin condition that can be transmitted through contact with infected animals, particularly cats and dogs. In Scott’s case, the origin was two kittens he had recently adopted, as he himself explained. Although the infection can cause spots, blisters, or skin irritation, it is not related to viral diseases like monkeypox.

Once the risk of serious contagion was ruled out, the tourist was authorised to resume his journey. After leaving hospital, Scott had to fly to Fuerteventura to reunite with the ship and continue with the Canary Islands cruise itinerary. Although he was eventually able to rejoin the holiday, the incident left a significant financial and personal impact. The tourist said he felt deeply embarrassed by the whole situation and estimated the episode cost him nearly £5,000 in additional expenses and travel complications.

“A Disaster From Start to Finish”

Scott described the experience as “a disaster from start to finish”. According to his version of events, he had tried to act transparently from the outset by informing the cruise company of his medical condition and providing a doctor’s note confirming his treatment for ringworm. His initial intention was to postpone the trip for a few weeks, not cancel it, to avoid potential problems during the holiday. However, he claims that option was not accepted. The passenger also explained he had never experienced a similar situation and found the episode very uncomfortable and embarrassing.

For its part, the travel company involved stated that established health protocols were followed to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. They indicated that the traveller did not have an official certificate confirming he was fit to fly, which in certain circumstances can be necessary when a visible medical condition exists.

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