British Passengers to Isolate at UK Hospital
British passengers and crew members aboard a cruise ship involved in a hantavirus outbreak will be transferred to a hospital in the United Kingdom for isolation.
Arrowe Park Hospital, located on the Wirral, was previously designated as the UK's quarantine facility during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The MV Hondius is scheduled to dock in the Canary Islands this weekend. Following this, the 22 remaining British nationals on board are expected to return to the UK via a charter flight.
Hantavirus Cases and Current Treatments
To date, five hantavirus cases have been confirmed among those on the vessel, including one of the three passengers who have died during the cruise on the Dutch ship.
Two British men diagnosed with hantavirus are currently receiving medical treatment in the Netherlands and South Africa. Additionally, a third British individual is undergoing treatment for a suspected hantavirus infection on Tristan da Cunha, a remote island in the Atlantic where the ship made a stop in mid-April.
Official Statement and Procedures
A joint statement was released by NHS England North West, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, Merseyside Police, North West Ambulance Service, and Wirral Council.
"In line with advice from the UK Health Security Agency, on arrival they will be taken to a managed setting for clinical assessment and testing.
"We expect this initial stay to be up to 72 hours."
Additional Information
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