‘Rat virus’ Brit passengers set to isolate in UK hospital after docking MV Hondius
A message sent to staff at the Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust confirmed that around 24 British passengers and crew from the MV Hondius will isolate at a UK hospital
The patients will isolate at the hospital (Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
British passengers and crew from a cruise ship struck by a hantavirus outbreak will be quarantined in Merseyside upon their return to the UK.
The MV Hondius vessel has seen three fatalities following the virus outbreak, including a 69 year old Dutch woman confirmed to have contracted the disease, which originates in wild rodents. The cases of two other deceased passengers are currently under investigation.
The British government is arranging the repatriation of the British passengers and crew from the ship, due to dock in the Canary Islands this weekend. The remaining Brits will then be flown home on a chartered flight shortly thereafter.
It has now been disclosed that the returning Brits will be relocated to accommodation at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral for isolation.
Many will recall these same accommodation blocks were used to house British citizens returning from Wuhan, China, at the onset of the global Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Plans were confirmed in a message sent to staff members from Janelle Holmes of the Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust this afternoon.
The message, viewed by the ECHO, stated: “You will be aware that there are a number of British nationals who are expected to fly from Tenerife to the UK following the cases of hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship recently confirmed by the World Health Organization.
“The plan is for the British passengers and ship crew not displaying any symptoms of hantavirus to be escorted by UK government staff and given free passage back to the UK and as a precaution they will remain in isolation.
“We have been asked to house these residents (around 24) as our guests in the accommodation block on the Arrowe Park hospital site to provide them with a safe place for their isolation period.
“We have been asked by NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to house the guests, recognising how quickly and positively we responded to and supported the repatriation of British nationals from Wuhan and the Diamond Princess prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Ms Holmes revealed the Britons will be moved to the Arrowe Park facility this Sunday (May 10) and confirmed they will all undergo symptom screening before arriving on site, stating: “Nobody showing any symptoms will be transferred here. If anyone becomes unwell after arrival, they will be transferred quickly to another facility.
“We do not anticipate there will be any impact on the delivery of Trust services or staff delivering services. Our role is to provide a safe place for the residents to isolate.
“The risk to the general population remains very low and the public can be reassured that the established infection control measures will be put in place at every step of the journey to ensure the safe repatriation of British passengers on board.”
A Joint Statement from NHS England North West, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB, Merseyside Police, North West Ambulance Service, and Wirral Council reads: “Organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside are working closely with colleagues from the UK Health Security Agency and other government bodies to support the repatriation of passengers from MV Hondius.
“In line with advice from the UK Health Security Agency, on arrival they will be taken to a managed setting for clinical assessment and testing. We expect this initial stay to be up to 72 hours.
“Following this, public health specialists will assess whether they can isolate at home or at another suitable location, based on their living arrangements.
“The risk to the general population remains very low.
“Our partner organisations are working together to ensure that all returning passengers are welcomed, comfortable and well supported throughout their stay.
“We would like to thank our staff and partners across the NHS, emergency services and local government for their professionalism and dedication in coordinating this response, and we will continue to work closely with the UK Health Security Agency and other partners throughout.”
