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Major update on hantavirus cruise ship passengers taken to Wirral hospital

The UK Health Security Agency says six MV Hondius passengers have been allowed to leave a Wirral hospital after their latest negative test and will continue their 45-day isolation at home

[An image depicts the interior of a bus with several individuals seated inside. The occupants are wearing protective gear, including masks and possibly gloves. The bus is parked on the side of a road, with a car visible in the background, indicating a nighttime setting.]

British passengers and crew from the MV Hondius en route to Arrowe Park Hospital (Image: Getty Images)

Six people linked to a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship have been discharged from hospital to continue their isolation at home, according to health officials.

Passengers from the MV Hondius were transported to the facility at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral for specialist examinations. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that public health and clinical experts have evaluated each person's situation and, following their most recent negative test, they are permitted to complete their 45-day isolation period at home.

The agency assured that there are "appropriate public health protections in place at every stage of the journey" for those departing the facility. Health protection teams across the UK will maintain monitoring and support for everyone post-discharge through daily contact, it further added.

[The cruise ship MV Hondius docked in Tenerife]

The cruise ship MV Hondius docked in Tenerife(Image: Getty Images)

The UKHSA confirmed that all those at Arrowe Park "remain asymptomatic". The agency lauded the "incredible demonstration of international efforts to contain the outbreak".

The UKHSA reported that a medic on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic has exhibited symptoms but tested negative. Additional tests are being conducted to "establish whether this is an unrelated illness".

On Tuesday, it was revealed that 10 Britons from South Atlantic islands linked to the cruise ship outbreak are set to be repatriated to the UK as a precautionary measure in case they contract the illness.

The group, believed to be residents of the UK overseas territories of St Helena and Ascension, are being "brought to the UK to complete their self-isolation as a precautionary measure", the UKHSA said.

Professor Robin May, chief scientific officer at the UKHSA, said: "Our teams are working closely with FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) colleagues and leaders on Ascension Island to repatriate British nationals who are currently isolating on the island.

[People were taken to Arrowe Park Hospital]

People were taken to Arrowe Park Hospital(Image: Getty Images)

"Testing is under way to confirm the cause of illness for the person displaying symptoms and we will take all necessary action to support this person and the wider island population while continuing to protect public health in England and UK overseas territories.

"Once again I must commend those who have co-operated so selflessly with the isolation arrangements at Arrowe Park, and we are pleased that they will now begin to return home to isolate after a very unsettling period for all involved.

"Thanks also to the NHS and UKHSA colleagues caring for them throughout their time there.

"Together this has been an incredible demonstration of international efforts to contain the outbreak.

"Our priority remains to ensure everyone is safe and well supported, wherever they complete their isolation, and our teams will continue to work closely with all of those affected by this outbreak."

So far, 11 hantavirus cases have been reported among people on the cruise, including three deaths. Nine out of the 11 cases are confirmed, with an additional two probable cases.

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