A healthcare worker exhibiting symptoms of hantavirus on a remote British overseas territory is currently receiving specialist care at a London hospital. Simultaneously, nine individuals connected to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak are preparing to land in the United Kingdom.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that a group of nine Britons from St Helena and Ascension Island, who may have been exposed to hantavirus but remain asymptomatic, are expected to arrive in the UK on Sunday evening.
This development follows the transfer of a healthcare worker from Ascension Island to the High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCID) unit at Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust on Saturday. The medic was flown to the UK for a specialist assessment after displaying symptoms, a move described by the UKHSA as a highly precautionary measure.
Since Ascension Island lacks a specialist infectious diseases unit, the decision was made to bring the individual to the UK to ensure optimal care at an HCID unit should their condition worsen, the UKHSA stated in an update on Saturday. The patient will undergo further testing and evaluation at the unit.
The group arriving on Sunday will complete their self-isolation in the UK, supported by the NHS's High Consequence Infectious Diseases network if they become unwell, the UKHSA confirmed. They will be transported to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral, the same facility that previously accommodated passengers from the MV Hondius.
Dr. Meera Chand, deputy director at the UKHSA, said: 'UKHSA will continue to work with our partners locally, nationally, and internationally to ensure everyone has the necessary support in place. We are undertaking safe repatriation of those affected by the outbreak where appropriate, incorporating medical checks and support, with the latest flight arriving tonight. We are committed to keeping these passengers and the wider population safe and will remain in close contact with them as they complete their self-isolation period.'
On Saturday, one individual was discharged from Arrowe Park Hospital to finish their 45-day isolation period at home after a clinical and public health assessment confirmed it was safe to do so, the UKHSA confirmed. A further six individuals returned home from the hospital to continue self-isolation on Thursday last week. Those isolating at home and those remaining in hospital are under close monitoring.
The UKHSA announced on Friday evening 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 for assistance from the island's government. The deployed team includes two microbiologists, Clara Milroy and Kimberley Steeds, who will assist with PCR testing for hantavirus and support testing to rule out other conditions. Joining them is infection prevention and control specialist Anthony Twyman, who will assist Jamestown General Hospital in preparing for and managing potential cases through assessments and training.
According to the agency, the three-strong team will remain on the island for the next eight weeks. The outbreak aboard the cruise ship has resulted in at least 11 reported cases among passengers, with three proving fatal. Public Health Scotland issued a warning on Thursday that a small number of people in Scotland may have potentially been exposed to the virus and is working to contact those affected.
