Merseyside health chiefs have said the risk of hantavirus to the general public remains “very low” as almost two dozen passengers isolate on the Wirral. Officials have confirmed 22 passengers who were on MV Hondius have arrived safely at Arrowe Park Hospital, where they will be accommodated during a precautionary period of isolation – thought to be 45 days – in line with advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The passengers will be monitored for 72 hours
In a joint statement NHS England North West, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Merseyside Police, North West Ambulance Service, and Wirral Council said the Birkenhead hospital is continuing to operate “completely normally” with planned services going ahead as usual. The passengers, who came back to the UK on Sunday, are isolating “purely as a precaution” at Arrowe Park in an accommodation block.
In total, 22 Britons from the MV Hondius were repatriated to the UK from Tenerife before arriving at the hospital where they are being monitored for 72 hours. Three people died following the outbreak of the virus on the ship, with one of those, a 69-year-old Dutch woman, confirmed to have had the disease which is found in rodents.
Officials said the move to house the people infected was a “planned, controlled and carefully managed arrangement” and there was “no reason for local residents to be concerned.” The statement said: “They have had a long journey home, and we are committed to ensuring they are comfortable, well cared for and properly supported throughout their stay with us.
“We hope they will feel at home here and know that everything possible is being done for them.” The passengers are not displaying any symptoms of hantavirus and the UKHSA has confirmed the risk to the general public “remains very low.”
The statement added: “Hantavirus is not spread through everyday social contact and there is no reason for local residents to be concerned. The hospital is operating completely normally. All planned services are continuing as usual and patients, visitors and staff should continue to come to the hospital with complete confidence.
“Our guests are accommodated separately from all patient-facing areas and robust infection control measures are in place at every stage.” Officials paid tribute to the work of NHS, local government and emergency service staff in their preparation for the transfer of patients.
They said: “We are confident that we now have safe, well-tested and carefully considered processes in place to support our guests throughout their stay, and we will continue to work closely with the UK Health Security Agency and all partner organisations as the situation develops.”
Mayor Rotherham is being kept up to date
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram posted on social media how he was being kept up to date with events at Arrowe Park and was keen to echo the message issued by health chiefs. He said:
People will understandably have questions when they hear news like this, so I want to reassure residents that this is a precautionary, carefully managed response based on the advice of the NHS and public health officials.
It is precisely that our city region leads on many aspects of infectious disease control and life sciences that I have confidence in our health colleagues that they have put into place every risk mitigation possible. I’m being kept regularly updated and have been advised that the people arriving at Arrowe Park are not displaying symptoms.
The risk to the wider public therefore remains very low. Importantly, they are being cared for well away from patients and normal hospital services, and Arrowe Park is continuing to operate as normal, so people should continue to attend appointments and use NHS services as usual.
The people arriving in Wirral are going through a very difficult and unsettling experience, but I know they’ll be looked after with the same dignity, professionalism, and compassion our NHS shows every day. I want to thank NHS staff, emergency services, Wirral Council and all partners who have worked quickly and professionally to get the right arrangements in place, keep people safe, and make sure residents are kept informed.
Decisions on further isolation to be taken after the first 3 days
Matthew Patrick, Wirral West MP, said he was in contact with ministers and Wirral Council bosses as the patients were transferred. He said:
Upon arrival at Arrowe Park Hospital, public health specialists will assess within 72 hours whether passengers can isolate at home or at another suitable location based on their living arrangements.
It may be the case that some passengers will do their isolation period at Arrowe Park Hospital. 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. I am remaining in touch with all necessary parties on this, including the Health Minister, council leadership and health experts here on the Wirral.
By Local Democracy Reporter David Humphreys.
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