Ten British citizens from the South Atlantic islands of St Helena and Ascension Island will be brought to the United Kingdom as a precautionary measure following a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced that these individuals, who are residents of the British overseas territories, will complete their self-isolation in the UK to ensure access to appropriate medical care if needed.
The group includes passengers who disembarked from the MV Hondius in St Helena, as well as medical staff who had contact with them. Currently, none of the individuals are symptomatic, but the relocation is intended to support the limited healthcare infrastructure in the overseas territories. The UKHSA stated that England's NHS high-consequence infectious disease network is well-equipped to respond should any develop symptoms.
Background of the Outbreak
The MV Hondius, a cruise ship, experienced an outbreak of hantavirus, leading to 11 reported cases, including three deaths. The ship docked in Tenerife, Spain, where passengers were repatriated to their home countries. Twenty British nationals, along with a German UK resident and a Japanese passenger, were initially isolated at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral for a three-day assessment. They are now required to isolate for a further 42 days, with tailored support packages for those able to isolate at home.
Precautionary Measures
The UKHSA emphasized that the relocation of the ten individuals is purely precautionary. A statement from the Ascension Island Government noted that these individuals were assessed as higher risk, though the likelihood of illness remains low. They will be fully supported upon arrival in the UK.
Separately, a small number of individuals already isolating at home in England will also be assessed at Arrowe Park. Two Britons who returned early from the ship have been isolating at home and remain symptom-free.
Global Response and Reactions
Professor Robin May, chief scientific officer at UKHSA, thanked passengers for their cooperation and urged respect for their privacy. He stated that the priority is to ensure everyone is safe and supported throughout their isolation.
World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Spain for allowing the ship to dock, calling it a moral duty. He noted that some passengers faced mental breakdowns and emphasized the need for compassion. He added that there is no sign of a larger outbreak, though more cases may emerge due to the virus's long incubation period.
Other cases include a British man in Johannesburg who is improving, another in the Netherlands, and a British national isolating on Tristan da Cunha. A French woman is in intensive care in Paris, and a US evacuee tested positive without symptoms. One Spaniard in Madrid also provisionally tested positive.
