Ten Britons from the South Atlantic islands of St Helena and Ascension Island are being flown to the UK as a precautionary measure following a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship. The group, who are thought to include passengers who left the MV Hondius in St Helena and medical staff who had contact with them, will complete their self-isolation in England. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said none are currently symptomatic, but the move is to ensure access to specialist medical services if needed.
Meanwhile, 20 British nationals who had been isolating at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral are preparing to leave the facility after a three-day assessment period. They will continue to isolate for a further 42 days, with tailored support provided to enable home isolation where safe. A small number of other individuals already isolating at home in England will also be assessed at Arrowe Park.
Two Britons who returned early from the ship and are isolating at home have not developed symptoms but will be monitored. Elsewhere, a British man with hantavirus is being treated in Johannesburg and is reportedly improving, while another is in the Netherlands. A third British national has the virus and is isolating on Tristan da Cunha. The head of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said some passengers had experienced mental breakdown and urged compassion for those affected.
