The UK Health Security Agency said the person has been medically evacuated from the Netherlands to England and is now following strict infection prevention and control measures
A British national who was hospitalised in the Netherlands with hantavirus has now been brought back to the UK, health officials have confirmed.
The individual was medically evacuated from the Netherlands to England and is currently adhering to strict infection prevention and control measures, the Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
The UKHSA confirmed it was the same person identified as a hantavirus case by the World Health Organisation on 7th May.
An outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius has resulted in at least 11 reported cases amongst passengers, including three fatalities. A British crew member was amongst those evacuated from the vessel.
The expedition guide and former police officer was flown to receive specialist medical treatment in the Netherlands after being airlifted off the ship.
Dr Meera Chand, deputy director at UKHSA, said: “We have worked closely with FCDO and the Dutch authorities to ensure the safe return of a British national who was previously confirmed to have hantavirus and has been receiving care in the Netherlands.
“It’s important to stress that this is an existing case and the wider risk to the general public remains very low.
“As people continue with their isolation period, UKHSA will continue to work with our partners locally, nationally and internationally to ensure everyone has the necessary support in place.”
This follows news that six further individuals connected to the hantavirus outbreak have been discharged from hospital to complete their isolation at home, according to health officials. Cruise ship passengers were transferred to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral for medical assessments and an initial period of isolation earlier this month.
Those self-isolating at home, along with those still receiving hospital treatment, are being carefully monitored, officials confirmed.
Dr Chand added: “We would like to again stress our thanks and gratitude to everyone at Arrowe Park who has worked so hard during this challenging time.”
The Arrowe Park Hospital facility was previously utilised as an isolation centre at the outset of the coronavirus outbreak in 2020.
A total of 19 British nationals were recorded as passengers aboard the MV Hondius, which had been voyaging from Argentina to Cape Verde, alongside four British crew members.
Public Health Scotland cautioned that a limited number of people in Scotland may have potentially been exposed to the virus, and confirmed it was working to contact “a small number of individuals” who could be at risk.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the operator of MV Hondius, announced on Tuesday that the vessel is currently undergoing a thorough deep clean in Rotterdam, following guidance from the GGD local health authority, before making its way back to its home port in the nearby southern Dutch city of Vlissingen.
