Hantavirus Response Update, May 13
A number of passengers who had been isolating at the accommodation block on the Arrowe Park Hospital site have now completed their initial precautionary period and are beginning to return home, or to other suitable accommodation, to complete the remainder of their isolation.
The first group has been discharged following negative PCR tests, with onward travel managed under strict public health arrangements. A cohort of individuals remains on site, where they continue to receive care, support and monitoring from NHS and UK Health Security Agency (UKHKSA) teams, alongside a small number who have been transferred from elsewhere in England for assessment.
The UK Health Security Agency continues to advise that the risk to the general public remains very low, and this position is unchanged. Hantavirus is not spread through everyday social contact, meaning there is no risk associated with routine activities such as attending work, school or public places.
All individuals currently at Arrowe Park remain asymptomatic, and all testing to date has returned negative results. The hospital continues to operate fully as normal, with no risk to patients, visitors or staff, and services are running as expected.
The response remains precautionary, controlled and clinically led, with UKHSA and NHS teams providing ongoing oversight, welfare support and daily monitoring. Individuals who return home will continue their isolation period with tailored support in place, including regular contact from health protection teams to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Contact tracing, testing and monitoring continue at a national level, supported by coordination with devolved administrations and international partners. Plans remain in place to support further step-down from Arrowe Park where appropriate, including relocation to alternative accommodation to support individuals to complete isolation more easily.
Hantavirus is a rare infection typically linked to environmental exposure rather than community spread, and it does not transmit easily between people. While the strain identified in this outbreak can spread between individuals in rare circumstances, this requires close and prolonged contact, which further supports the very low risk assessment for the wider population.
The current situation continues to be managed through a coordinated multi-agency response involving UKHSA, the NHS, local government, emergency services and national partners, with clear alignment on approach and messaging.
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