LONDON, British health authorities say two British nationals are self-isolating as a precaution after being recently exposed to dangerous hantavirus on a cruise ship before flying home.
Britain’s Health Security Service said on Wednesday it was working with the World Health Organization to coordinate the arrival of British nationals from the MV Hondius, which was docked off the coast of West Africa when the virus outbreak was reported.
Dr Meera Chand, deputy director of the UKHSA’s Epidemics and Emerging Infections Unit, sought to reassure the public that the risk of the virus, which is spread through rodent faeces, remains “very low”.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by the hantavirus outbreak on board the MV Hondius,” the Indian medical officer said.
“It is important to reassure people that the risk to the public remains low. Arrangements are in place to support, isolate and monitor British nationals on board when they return to the UK, and we are tracing anyone who may have been exposed to the ship or the hantavirus case to limit the risk of further spread.
“UKHSA will continue to work closely with government partners to provide all necessary support,” she said.
The Andean strain of hantavirus, which can cause fever, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or shortness of breath, has been detected in many people on Dutch cruise ships.
In extreme cases, people can develop severe breathing difficulties or low blood pressure and kidney failure, requiring hospitalization. Experts say person-to-person transmission is rare and only occurs through very close contact.
The UK health agency said: “HMSA is aware of two people who have returned to the UK independently on the MV Hondius. Neither person is currently reporting symptoms. They are receiving HSA advice and support and have been advised to self-isolate.”
The statement said: “NHS is supporting a small number of individuals identified as close contacts of those on board. They are receiving support and are self-isolating. None have reported any symptoms. The risk to the public remains very low.”
Three people suspected of being infected with hantavirus, including a British national, were evacuated to the Netherlands for treatment on Wednesday.
The Health and Safety Executive said remaining British nationals will be sent back once the ship docks at its next destination if they are asymptomatic. No British citizens on board are currently reporting symptoms but they are being closely monitored.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said arrangements are being made for these people to return to the UK and UKHSA is working with the government to support them in isolation through regular testing and contact with healthcare professionals.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The Foreign Office is working urgently to support UKHSA’s work overseas and ensure that British nationals on board the MV Hondius all return home safely and with appropriate public health protection.”
UKHSA said it was working closely with the FCDO, Home Office and Border Force to further trace people who may have been on the same flight as the confirmed case to conduct a public health risk assessment and ensure appropriate precautions are taken.
Hantaviruses are a collective name for a group of viruses carried by rodents and spread through their feces and urine. They can cause a range of illnesses, from mild flu-like illness to severe respiratory illness.
Human infections are rare and tend to occur where humans and rodents coexist – most commonly rural, agricultural settings, although the virus can sometimes be found in janitorial sheds, barns and holiday homes where rodents may nest.
The World Health Organization is leading the international response to the incident and monitoring the ship’s direction, including providing advice on how to minimize the risk of disease transmission.
The FCDO said it was in direct contact with the ship and had consular teams in place in several countries to support British nationals. There were about 150 passengers and crew on board and “strict precautions” were taken, according to operator Oceanwide Expeditions.
The ship is currently en route to the Canary Islands, where it will be managed by Spanish authorities.
It is unclear where the outbreak originated or whether anyone other than cruise ship passengers has contracted the disease.
This article was generated from automated news agency feeds without modifications to the text.
