The UK could experience a limited number of hantavirus cases following an outbreak on a cruise ship, but a leading infectious diseases expert has stressed that a scenario resembling the Covid-19 pandemic is highly improbable.
Expert Assessment
Professor Emma Thomson, who heads the MRC Centre for Virus Research at Glasgow University—one of only two UK centres currently studying hantavirus—stated that it "wouldn't be very surprising" if one or two positive cases were detected in the UK. This would align with patterns observed in other countries, she noted.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Breakfast programme, Prof Thomson emphasised: "I would expect that that could be managed very easily with the existing facilities we have. It is very, very unlikely that something like this will turn into something akin to the Covid-19 pandemic."
Current Situation
Samples from passengers aboard the MV Hondius are being analysed after an outbreak resulted in at least 11 reported cases, including three fatalities. Public Health Scotland issued a warning on Thursday, confirming it is contacting "a small number of individuals" who may have been exposed.
Ten Britons from the South Atlantic islands of St Helena and Ascension, linked to the cruise ship, are being repatriated to the UK as a precaution. The UK Health Security Agency confirmed they will complete self-isolation in the UK.
Virus Transmission
Prof Thomson explained that the Andes strain of hantavirus, responsible for the outbreak, is the only variant that spreads between humans. However, it is "not nearly as transmissible" as diseases like measles. She added: "We don't expect to see lots of cases of this virus, thankfully, but public health measures are critical."
Previous outbreaks in Argentina have typically been very limited, affecting only small numbers of people. While the virus is serious, it is not expected to cause large-scale problems.
Research and Treatment
Currently, there is no vaccine or cure for hantavirus. The MRC Centre for Virus Research is investigating whether existing antiviral drugs could be effective. Prof Thomson said: "We will also be using methods to think about new treatments for Andes virus. Twenty passengers have kindly signed up for research to help us find new solutions."
