Key Summary:
- UK Health Security Agency said six people linked to the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak have returned home after completing quarantine.
- All contacts at Arrowe Park remain symptom-free and tested negative for the virus.
- UKHSA continues to support affected British nationals isolating or receiving treatment overseas.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has stated that six people, who were under isolation in Arrowe Park on the Wirral after being repatriated from the hantavirus-affected MV Hondius, returned home on Wednesday (13) after their 45-day quarantine.
Health officials have assessed each individual’s circumstances and following their latest negative PCR test, support is being provided to enable people to isolate at home.
Arrangements for onward travel from Arrowe Park will be managed with appropriate public health protections at every stage of the journey.
The UKHSA said that people at Arrowe Park continue to be asymptomatic with negative test results for the virus.
They include 20 British nationals, alongside one UK resident German national and one Japanese passenger.
Over the coming days, UKHSA will support relocation of some more contacts who are already isolating, to places where they can do so more easily.
UKHSA is working closely with public health teams in devolved administrations and UK Overseas Territories to identify and support those who may have had close contact with cases.
Medical staff monitoring contacts on Ascension and St Helena have confirmed that one contact, a medic on Ascension island, has developed symptoms.
Their samples were taken to the UK on 8 May and tested negative.
UKHSA chief scientific officer professor Robin May said, “Together this has been an incredible demonstration of international efforts to contain the outbreak. Our priority remains to ensure everyone is safe and well supported, wherever they complete their isolation, and our teams will continue to work closely with all of those affected by this outbreak.”
He added, “We would ask the media and the public to respect the privacy of the passengers, contacts and their families at what has been a very difficult and distressing time for everyone involved.”
Overseas British nationals
Two British nationals have returned home on repatriation flights to the US, which were organised by the US.
Another British national is due to return to Australia.
Three British nationals are being treated by medical teams outside the UK - one in the Netherlands, one on Tristan da Cunha and a third in South Africa.
