Key Summary
- All remaining individuals linked to the outbreak have officially left the Arrowe Park facility.
- Every passenger from the MV Hondius who subsequently returned to the UK has now finished their mandatory self-isolation period.
- The self-isolation period for contacts of confirmed Andes hantavirus cases was 42 days.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that all remaining individuals linked to the hantavirus outbreak have left Arrowe Park Hospital.
All passengers from the MV Hondius who subsequently returned to the UK have now completed their self-isolation periods.
Professor Robin May, Chief Scientific Officer at UKHSA, thanked the passengers, crew and other contacts for their cooperation through a very challenging time.
“Our teams will continue to work closely with local authorities and the NHS to ensure everyone affected by this outbreak has the necessary support in place.”
The self-isolation period for contacts of confirmed Andes hantavirus cases in the UK was 45 days, but was later reduced to 42 days as per WHO guidance.
After reaching the UK, the passengers were transferred to an isolation facility at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral.
Following the outbreak in May, the UKHSA had worked closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and other international partners.
