Key Summary
- A tracking framework is launched by the UK government to monitor hantavirus cases.
- UKHSA also confirmed the safe repatriation and medical evacuation of the infected British national from the Netherlands to England.
- Health officials emphasized that the newly recorded case does not represent a fresh infection.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will monitor cases of hantavirus and provide daily updates on those affected by the virus in the country.
The publication, titled Notified cases of hantavirus in the UK, was established in response to the international outbreak of Andes hantavirus tied to the MV Hondius cruise ship.
The newly-created statistical webpage will provide regular, up-to-date data counts for UK-connected cases until the international health incident is officially closed.
Case number updates will be published at 9:30am and refer to the position at 12:30pm the previous day.
Patient relocated
The government has supported the relocation of a hantavirus affected British national, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital in the Netherlands, to England.
He was confirmed by WHO on 7 May.
UKHSA deputy director Dr Meera Chand said, “We have worked closely with FCDO and the Dutch authorities to ensure the safe return of a British national who was previously confirmed to have hantavirus and has been receiving care in the Netherlands. It’s important to stress that this is an existing case and the wider risk to the general public remains very low.”
The agency earlier confirmed that 10 individuals had left Arrowe Park isolation centre last week, and an additional six individuals left over the weekend.
They have returned to their homes or to other suitable accommodation to complete their 45-day isolation period, it added.
