A British tourist was removed from a TUI cruise due to a ringworm infection that changed his skin appearance during the flight, causing concern among the crew that he might have contracted monkeypox.
James Scott, a hospital maintenance worker from Nottingham, received medication and instructions from his doctor for ringworm, which he got from newly adopted kittens. However, the infection took a different form while he was en route to Tenerife.
Upon boarding the cruise, staff noticed skin blisters caused by high pressure and suspected it might be monkeypox. James was promptly examined by a doctor and taken into quarantine. After two days of observation, he returned to Fuerteventura following an hour-long flight.
Having spent around £2,500 on the TUI trip, James found himself significantly out of pocket, estimating a loss of approximately £5,000. He expressed feeling embarrassed by the situation.
Monkeypox, also known as Mpox, is a severe illness characterized by a distinctive rash and flu-like symptoms. The NHS states that the risk of contracting it in the UK is generally low, with the Canary Islands reporting fewer than 200 cases post the 2022 outbreak.
Across the archipelago, over 170 cases have been confirmed, with most individuals experiencing mild symptoms that can be managed through home quarantine. Monkeypox spreads through physical contact, contaminated surfaces, and respiratory droplets, while ringworm typically manifests as a circular rash causing localized itching.
Prior to the trip, James informed TUI about his condition and provided a doctor’s note detailing his ringworm treatment plan.
Describing the journey as a complete disaster, James expressed disappointment in the lack of flexibility from TUI when he requested to postpone the trip for recovery reasons, rather than canceling for a refund.
TUI defended their actions, stating they adhered to the correct procedures in James’ case and highlighting the absence of an official fit-to-fly certificate, mandatory for passengers recovering from infectious diseases.
