Brit hospitalised with hantavirus in the Netherlands after cruise ship outbreak returns to UK
A British national who was treated for hantavirus in the Netherlands has been medically repatriated to the UK, health authorities have confirmed.
According to the Health Safety Agency (HSA), the individual now adheres to strict infection prevention and control measures.
This case was previously detected by the World Health Organization on May 7.
The infection is linked to an outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius, where at least 11 passengers reported cases, including three deaths.
Among those evacuated from the ship was British crew member Martin Anstee, 56.
After being airlifted off the ship, the expedition guide and former police officer were flown to the Netherlands to receive specialist medical care.
UKHSA deputy director Dr Meera Chand said: “We worked closely with the FCDO and Dutch authorities to ensure the safe return of a British national who was previously confirmed to have hantavirus and was receiving care in the Netherlands.
“It is important to emphasize that this is an existing case and the risk to the general public is very low.
“As people continue their period of isolation, UKHSA will continue to work with our local, national and international partners to ensure everyone has the necessary support.”
This comes after six more people linked to the hantavirus outbreak left the hospital to continue isolating at home, health officials said.
Passengers on the cruise ship were taken to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral for checks and an initial isolation period earlier this month.
It was stated that those isolated at home and hospitalized are being closely monitored.
Dr Chand added: “We would like to reiterate our thanks and gratitude to everyone who has worked so hard at Arrowe Park during this challenging time.”
The space at Arrowe Park Hospital was last used as an isolation facility at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
It was stated that approximately 19 British citizens were passengers on the MV Hondius, which went from Argentina to Cape Verde with four British crew members.
Public Health Scotland has warned that a small number of people in Scotland have the potential to come into contact with the virus and that attempts are being made to contact a “small number of people” who may be affected.
Oceanwide Expeditions, which operates the MV Hondius, said on Tuesday that the ship was subjected to further cleaning in Rotterdam on the advice of the GGD local health authority. before returning to its home port at nearby Vlissingen in the south of the Netherlands.
