Medic with Symptoms of Hantavirus Treated in UK
A healthcare worker exhibiting symptoms associated with the hantavirus is currently receiving treatment at a specialized hospital in the UK.
This might be the first reported case of hantavirus in Britain amid the ongoing outbreak, as the MV Hondius makes its way to the Netherlands.
The medic was transferred to the High Consequence Infectious Diseases unit at Guy’s and St Thomas’s hospital in London on Saturday.
Meanwhile, nine British nationals connected to the MV Hondius outbreak were expected to arrive in the UK on Sunday night after being flown from the remote territories of St Helena and Ascension Island.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) characterized the medic’s transfer for a “specialist assessment” as a “highly precautionary measure” following the onset of symptoms. They are currently unconfirmed for the disease but noted that hantavirus cases could deteriorate rapidly, necessitating critical care.
Since Ascension Island lacks a specialist infectious diseases unit, the decision was made to transport these individuals to the UK to ensure comprehensive support at a HCID unit should they require it.
While the remaining evacuees from St Helena and Ascension may have been exposed to hantavirus, they are not exhibiting symptoms at this time.
The identities of these asymptomatic individuals have not been disclosed, but it’s possible that some had contact with a passenger evacuated to South Africa via Ascension Island.
Governor Nigel Phillips of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha indicated that among the relocated individuals are medics who treated a confirmed case on Ascension Island. He mentioned that a few higher-risk contacts from the cruise would also be moving to the UK for isolation.
Around 30 passengers from the MV Hondius disembarked in St Helena on April 24, unaware they might have come into contact with the hantavirus. Among them were seven Brits who flew home to various locations worldwide, prompting efforts to trace them.
The nine evacuees were anticipated to arrive in the UK on Sunday, where they would be closely monitored at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral. This hospital previously housed 20 British nationals evacuated from the cruise ship for isolation.
Moving forward, the MV Hondius is scheduled to arrive in the Netherlands tomorrow, where it will undergo thorough inspection and disinfection as the final 27 individuals onboard—25 crew members and two medics—are set to be disembarked.
Despite the circumstances, officials from the World Health Organization stated that “the global risk remains low” concerning the hantavirus. They pointed out that while more cases may arise among individuals exposed prior to the implementation of containment measures, the risk of further transmission should be minimized following disembarkation and control protocol enforcement.
