UK health authorities say risk to general public from hantavirus remains very low
People in Wales are self-isolating due to links with the ongoing hantavirus outbreak, it has been confirmed.
Public Health Wales (PHW) has said it is working with UK agencies to co-ordinate a response to the hantavirus outbreak after passengers who travelled on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which began its journey from Argentina on April 1 with 150 passengers onboard.
As of today (May 14), there are eight confirmed cases of the virus linked to the ship, with another two suspected cases and a further inconclusive case. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
UK nationals were taken to Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral after coming off the ship, and six people have now returned home or to suitable accommodation, where they will continue to isolate.
All other passengers and crew members currently being monitored at Arrowe Park remain asymptomatic and have tested negative for hantavirus.
On Thursday, PHW confirmed that "a small number of Welsh residents linked with the hantavirus outbreak" are being supported, adding that none of them are showing any symptoms.
A spokesperson for PHW said: "Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and all those affected by the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship.
"Public Health Wales is working with the Welsh Government, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Welsh health boards and local authorities to respond to the outbreak and to take appropriate action.
"We are supporting a small number of Welsh residents linked with the hantavirus outbreak. Individuals will receive regular precautionary testing and a daily assessment for the duration of their self-isolation.
"While hantavirus is a serious infection, it is not spread through everyday social contact like going to public spaces, shops, workplaces, or schools.
"In the rare instances where a person has caught the infection from another person, they have had close and prolonged contact with the individual who has been infected with hantavirus.
"All the Welsh residents are well and not showing symptoms. If any of them display symptoms of hantavirus, there are robust arrangements in place to ensure they are given urgent medical attention. There are currently no known cases of hantavirus in Wales and the risk to the general public is very low."
According to the NHS, hantavirus is "the name of a group of viruses spread by rats, mice and voles".
It’s rare in the UK. Hantaviruses usually cause mild illness, but some people can become seriously unwell. It is usually spread by breathing in or touching the poo, pee or saliva of infected rats, mice or voles.
Technology & Business Editor
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