A medic exhibiting symptoms of hantavirus, a potentially fatal virus, from the remote British overseas territory of Ascension Island is currently receiving care at a London hospital. This development coincides with the arrival of nine individuals linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak in the United Kingdom.
UKHSA Confirms Arrival of Britons
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that a group of nine British nationals from St Helena and Ascension Island, who were potentially exposed to hantavirus but remain asymptomatic, are expected to land in the UK on Sunday evening. These individuals will undergo self-isolation and receive support from the NHS’s High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCID) network should they develop symptoms.
Medic Transferred to Specialist Unit
The medic from Ascension Island was transferred to the High Consequence Infectious Diseases unit at Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust on Saturday. This move, described as a "highly precautionary measure" by the UKHSA, was necessitated by the lack of a specialist infectious diseases unit on Ascension Island. The UKHSA stated, "The individual will undergo further testing and assessment at the unit."
The group arriving on Sunday 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, emphasized the agency's commitment to safe repatriation and public health, stating, "We are undertaking safe repatriation of those affected by the outbreak where appropriate, incorporating medical checks and support."
Ongoing Monitoring and Support
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. A further six individuals returned home on Thursday last week to continue self-isolation. Those isolating at home and remaining in hospital are being closely monitored.
UK Public Health Rapid Support Team Deployed
On Friday evening, the UKHSA announced 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 from the island's government. The team includes two microbiologists, Clara Milroy and Kimberley Steeds, who will assist with PCR testing for hantavirus and exclude other conditions. Infection prevention and control expert Anthony Twyman will support Jamestown General Hospital in preparing for potential cases through assessments and training. The trio will remain on the island for eight weeks.
Outbreak Details
The hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship has resulted in at least 11 reported cases among passengers, including three deaths. Public Health Scotland has warned that a small number of individuals in Scotland may have had contact with the virus and is working to reach those potentially affected.
