UK Prepares Isolation for Passengers from Hantavirus Cruise Ship

More than 20 British nationals from the cruise ship MV Hondius, on which a hantavirus outbreak occurred, will be placed in isolation at a hospital in north-west England on their return, British health authorities announced on Saturday.

The ship is due to dock off the Spanish island of Tenerife on Sunday morning, from where 22 British citizens will be flown back to Britain.

Spain said earlier that Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland and other countries were also arranging evacuation flights for their citizens. Eight people have been affected by the outbreak, three of whom have died.

British authorities will examine and test returning travellers as a precaution. The initial stay in a controlled facility can last up to 72 hours, with Sky News reporting that the facility will be Arrowe Park Hospital near Liverpool.

Health authorities have stressed that the risk to the wider public remains very low. The UK Health Security Agency said on Friday that all passengers and crew members would be asked to remain in isolation for 45 days upon their return.

(reuters, lud)