Brits on virus-hit cruise ship to isolate at hospital

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Brits on virus-hit cruise ship to isolate at hospital8 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleEmma StanleyNorth WestReutersThe MV Hondius is expected to dock in the Canary Islands this weekendBritish passengers and staff aboard a cruise ship at the centre of a deadly hantavirus outbreak will be brought to a UK hospital to isolate. Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral was notably used as the UK's quarantine site at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The MV Hondius is expected to dock in the Canary Islands this weekend, with the remaining 22 Britons on board due to fly home on a charter flight soon after.

Five cases of hantavirus have so far been confirmed, including one of the three passengers who have died during a cruise on the Dutch vessel. Two British men with confirmed cases of the disease are receiving treatment in the Netherlands and South Africa, while a third Briton is being treated for a suspected case on the remote Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, where the ship stopped in mid-April. A joint statement has been issued by NHS England North West, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, Merseyside Police, North West Ambulance Service and Wirral Council.

The Details

It read: "In line with advice from the UK Health Security Agency, on arrival they will be taken to a managed setting for clinical assessment and testing. "We expect this initial stay to be up to 72 hours. "Listen to the best of Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

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The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.