A medic who developed hantavirus symptoms on a remote British overseas territory is now receiving care in a London hospital, while nine individuals connected to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak are set to arrive in the United Kingdom. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced that a group of nine Britons from St Helena and Ascension Island, who may have been exposed to hantavirus but are currently asymptomatic, are expected to land in the UK on Sunday evening.
Medic Transferred to London for Specialist Care
The medic from Ascension Island was transferred to the High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCID) unit at Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust on Saturday. The UKHSA described the move as a "highly precautionary measure" after the individual developed symptoms. Since Ascension Island lacks a specialist infectious diseases unit, the decision was made to bring the medic to the UK for a specialist assessment and to ensure they receive optimal care if their condition worsens. The patient will undergo further testing and evaluation at the unit.
Arrival of Nine Asymptomatic Contacts
The nine individuals arriving on Sunday will complete their self-isolation in the UK, supported by the NHS's High Consequence Infectious Diseases network should they become unwell. They will be taken to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral, the same facility that previously housed passengers from the MV Hondius. Dr Meera Chand, deputy director at the UKHSA, stated: "UKHSA will continue to work with our partners locally, nationally and internationally to ensure everyone has the necessary support in place. We are undertaking safe repatriation of those affected by the outbreak where appropriate, incorporating medical checks and support, with the latest flight arriving tonight. We are committed to keeping these passengers and the wider population safe and will remain in close contact with them as they complete their self-isolation period."
Previous Discharges from Arrowe Park Hospital
On Saturday, one person left Arrowe Park Hospital to complete their 45-day isolation period at home after a clinical and public health assessment deemed it safe. Earlier, on Thursday last week, six other individuals returned home from the hospital to continue their self-isolation. All those isolating at home and those still in hospital are being closely monitored.
UK Public Health Rapid Support Team Deployed
The UKHSA reported on Friday evening that three members of the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) had been deployed to the UK overseas territories in the South Atlantic following a request for support from the island's government. The team includes two microbiologists, Clara Milroy and Kimberley Steeds, who will assist with PCR testing for hantavirus and other conditions. They are joined by infection prevention and control expert Anthony Twyman, who will support Jamestown General Hospital in preparing and responding to potential cases through assessments and training. The trio will remain on the island for the next eight weeks.
Outbreak Details and Expert Opinions
The outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship has resulted in at least 11 reported cases among passengers, including three deaths. Public Health Scotland warned on Thursday that a small number of individuals in Scotland may have had contact with the virus and is working to reach them. Dr Maria Van Kerkhove from the World Health Organization (WHO) addressed fears of a widespread outbreak, stating: "This is not Covid, this is not influenza, it spreads very, very differently." Unlike highly contagious respiratory illnesses, the Andes virus is not easily infectious. Professor Jonathan Ball, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Molecular Virology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, explained that although the Andes virus spreads more readily between humans than other hantaviruses, transmission is still highly inefficient and requires very close contact over prolonged periods. He confirmed that "the risk that the returned passengers pose to the wider public is very very small indeed."
