British passengers repatriated from virus-hit expedition ship to isolate for 45 days

British passengers and crew repatriated on special charter flight from virus hit expedition ship MV Hondius will have to isolate for up to 45 days.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that the risk to the public “remains very low”.

Twenty Britons among those who left the ship in Tenerife on Sunday were flown to Manchester Airport.

They were then and transferred to an isolation facility at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral, where they are receiving clinical assessments and testing as a “precautionary measure”.

Public health specialists will assess within 72 hours whether passengers can isolate at home or if they will isolate at another suitable location.

“All British passengers and crew on board the MV Hondius will be asked to isolate for up to 45 days upon returning to the UK. UKHSA will closely support and monitor these individuals, with testing as required,” the agency said.  

“Follow up is already underway for individuals who may have been in contact with cases and have since returned to the UK or are in UK Overseas Territories. The

UK government will ensure those self-isolating are given appropriate support.”

Dr Meera Chand, deputy director for epidemic and emerging infections at UKHSA, said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the hantavirus outbreak on board the MV Hondius.

“It’s important to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains very low. 

“We are standing up arrangements to support, isolate and monitor British nationals from the ship on their return to the UK and we are contact tracing anyone who may have been in contact with the ship or the hantavirus cases to limit the risk of onward transmission.

“UKHSA will continue to work closely with government partners to offer all necessary support.”

The World Health Organisation confirmed a total of eight cases, including three deaths have been reported. Six cases have been laboratory-confirmed as hantavirus infections after a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illness on the ship was reported to the organisation on May 2.

HV Hondius began its journey on April 1 in Ushuaia, Argentina, with 149 passengers and crew from 28 countries reported to have initially been on board.

The ship’s operator Oceanwide Expeditions said MV Hondius will sail on a five-day journey to Rotterdam after passengers and limited crew disembarked in the Canary Islands.