British health authorities detected symptoms of the dangerous "Hanta" virus in a doctor arriving from the British island of Ascension in the Atlantic Ocean, and he was transferred to London for treatment.
The Independent newspaper, quoting the British Public Health Agency, reported that the doctor was airlifted to the British capital because Ascension Island lacked medical facilities specializing in the treatment of infectious diseases.
In addition, nine British citizens from the islands of St. Helena and Ascension, who may have been exposed to the virus but have not yet shown symptoms, were due to arrive in Britain on Sunday evening and were to be transferred to Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral, the same facility that received the passengers of the MV Hondius.
Dr. Meera Chand, Assistant Director at UKHSA, said: “We continue to work with our partners locally, nationally and internationally to ensure that everyone receives the necessary support. We are committed to bringing those affected back safely with the necessary medical checks and remain in close contact with them during the isolation period.”
The Hanta virus had broken out on board the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, which was traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde, killing three people.
The ship docked off the coast of the Canary Islands on May 10, where its passengers were evacuated. On May 12, the World Health Organization announced that 11 cases of Hantavirus had been detected, nine of which were confirmed to be Andes virus.
Health officials confirm that the Hanta virus is usually spread through rodent droppings and does not easily spread between humans, but the Andean variant, which was detected in this outbreak, may be able to spread between humans in rare cases.
