Ten Britons from the South Atlantic islands of Saint Helena and Ascension Island, who were linked to a cruise ship outbreak of hantavirus, are being brought to the United Kingdom as a precautionary measure, officials have confirmed. The group, all residents of the UK overseas territories, will be flown to Britain to complete their self-isolation in case they develop the illness.
The individuals include four people who were on the cruise ship in Saint Helena and six close contacts on Ascension Island. None are currently symptomatic, but the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) described the move as 'precautionary to support communities in UK overseas territories'. Their final destination in Britain has not been disclosed, but they will have access to NHS infectious disease specialists if needed. The UKHSA said it will 'set out where they will isolate in due course'.
This development comes as 20 British nationals from the MV Hondius, along with a German UK resident and a Japanese passenger, prepare to leave Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral after a three-day isolation and assessment period. They were taken there on Sunday night after the ship docked in Tenerife, and will now isolate for another 42 days at home.
UKHSA Monitoring and Support
The UKHSA stated: 'Public health and clinical specialists have assessed each passenger's individual circumstances, and, where it is safe and possible, tailored support packages will be provided to enable people to isolate at home.' Health protection teams across the UK will maintain daily contact with all individuals throughout the isolation period to ensure safe isolation.
A small number of individuals who have been isolating at home or elsewhere in England will also be assessed at the hospital. Previously, two Britons who returned early from the ship have been isolating at home and have not developed symptoms.
Expert Comments
Professor Robin May, chief scientific officer at UKHSA, expressed gratitude: 'We are grateful to the passengers for their cooperation and patience in what we appreciate has been a very unsettling period for all involved. Our priority remains to ensure everyone is safe and well supported, wherever they complete their isolation.'
The Ascension Island Government earlier stated that a 'small number of individuals currently on St Helena who travelled on the vessel have been assessed as higher risk'. While the likelihood of illness remains low, UKHSA advised pre-emptive relocation to the UK to complete self-isolation.
Global Situation
One British man with hantavirus is still being cared for in Johannesburg and is thought to be improving, while another is in the Netherlands. A third British national is isolating on the remote island of Tristan da Cunha.
World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a briefing that some passengers faced 'mental breakdown' and called for compassion. He praised Spain's prime minister for allowing the ship to dock in Tenerife, stating it would have been 'inhumane' to leave people on board.
So far, 11 hantavirus cases have been reported among cruise passengers, including three deaths. Nine cases are confirmed, with two probable. Dr Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted there is no sign of a larger outbreak, but more cases may appear due to the virus's long incubation period.
