The World Health Organisation say there are 11 suspected Hantavirus cases with more cases expected. But health bosses stress this is not the new covid.
There are new cases of Hantavirus expected after the last passengers have left the hantavirus-hit cruise ship, the authorities say. But the World Health Organisation stressed again ‘this is not the new Covid’ as three new positive cases are linked to the deadly outbreak.
There are now at least 11 suspected Hantavirus, which is spread by rats, linked to the MV Hondius. Seven cases have been confirmed, with four others suspected. WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says they are expecting more cases because of the gap between the first hantavirus case on the MV Hondius and it being identified as hantavirus.
He added: “At the moment, there is no sign that we are seeing the start of a larger outbreak, but of course the situation could change and, given the long incubation period of the virus, it’s possible we might see more cases in the coming weeks.”
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MV Honidius arrived in the Netherlands on Tuesday morning after the final six passengers left, including one Brit, four Australians and one New Zealander.
According to the WHO three passengers have died after travelling on the ship, a Dutch couple aged 70 and 69 and a German national. Two of whom were confirmed to have had the virus.
A 69 year old Brit who was admitted to hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa is “clinically improving but still ill.” A second Brit Martin Anstee, 56, is being treated in the Netherlands and a third got off at Tristan da Cunha – where they live and is being treated.
There is also a Dutch colleague, and a German passenger receiving treatment in the Netherlands. And then the latest WHO case was reported in France, among one of the passengers who had been returning home and has since tested positive.
Other cases include an American and a Spaniard who quarantined in Madrid after being evacuated from the vessel had also provisionally tested positive for hantavirus. A second American national on Sunday’s repatriation flight had also shown mild symptoms after travelling back in “biocontainment units out of an abundance of caution” and there are repots of a case in Germany.
French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said a woman was isolating in Paris and that her health was deteriorating, with 22 contacts traced.
Nine of the 11 cases have been confirmed as the Andes virus according to the WHO who held a press conference on Tuesday morning.
Currently 22 Brits are isolating in Arrowe Park Hospital, in a block of self contained flats in the grounds. Local MP Matthew Patrick said he wanted to ‘reassure everyone in our community’ after they arrived
“Arrowe Park hospital has an accommodation block, fenced off and separate to the hospital, that is ideal for isolating…If any passenger develops symptoms whilst at Arrowe Park Hospital, they will immediately be transferred to a specialist facility in Liverpool. Medical experts advised using Arrowe Park Hospital due to its accommodation that is ideal for isolating and its closeness to specialist facilities in Liverpool.
“Whilst the risk to the general public is very low, it’s my number one priority to make sure local people are kept safe whilst this triage is carried out. There is no anticipated impact on NHS Trust services at Arrowe Park…I would like to end by paying tribute to all the NHS staff who are supporting this important national effort.”
In total there are 38 Filipino crew members that require eventual repatriation to the Philippines.
