Two Britons self-isolating in UK after leaving hantavirus cruise ship early
出典: BBC News
A cruise ship, the MV Hondius, has been at the centre of a hantavirus outbreak, prompting international concern. Two British nationals who disembarked early are now voluntarily self-isolating at home in the UK after potential exposure to the virus. UK health authorities have indicated that returning passengers will likely be required to self-isolate for 45 days, though officials stressed that individual circumstances would determine the exact requirements for each person.
The outbreak has already resulted in three deaths among those who were on board or had recently travelled on the ship, which departed from Argentina approximately one month ago. The World Health Organization confirmed five cases as of Thursday and warned that additional cases could emerge given the virus's six-week incubation period. Despite labelling it a 'serious incident,' the WHO emphasised that the risk to the general public remained low and that it bore no resemblance to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Two British passengers required medical evacuation from the vessel. A 56-year-old retired police officer named Martin Anstee, who was working as an expedition guide, was airlifted to the Netherlands and is currently in a stable condition. Another British passenger, aged 69, was evacuated to South Africa and admitted to intensive care, though officials reported he was 'doing better.' The ship is expected to dock in the Canary Islands over the weekend.
Spain is in advanced talks with the UK regarding a repatriation flight for the 19 British passengers and four British crew members still aboard. Meanwhile, contact tracing is under way across multiple countries, including Switzerland and the Netherlands, for passengers who left the ship before the outbreak was detected. Thirty people from twelve nations disembarked at the remote island of St Helena in the south Atlantic on 24 April, seven of whom were British nationals.
Of the seven British passengers who left at St Helena, four remained on the island, two flew back to the UK via Johannesburg and are now self-isolating, and one had not yet been traced. The two self-isolating individuals are asymptomatic and proactively contacted health authorities upon learning of the outbreak. Contact tracing is also ongoing for passengers who may have sat beside them on their return flight, illustrating the complex logistical challenge facing public health officials.
日本語訳
客船MVホンディウスでハンタウイルスの集団感染が発生し、国際的な懸念を呼んでいる。下船後に英国へ帰国した2人の英国人は、感染の可能性があるとして現在自主隔離中だ。英国当局は帰国した乗客に対し、45日間の隔離を求める見通しだが、個々の状況によって対応が異なる場合もあると説明している。
これまでに乗船者または元乗船者3人が死亡している。この船は約1か月前にアルゼンチンを出発した。世界保健機関（WHO）は木曜日までに5件の感染を確認し、ウイルスの潜伏期間が最長6週間に及ぶため、さらなる感染者が出る可能性があると警告した。WHOは「深刻な事態」と位置付けながらも、一般市民へのリスクは低く、新型コロナとは性質が異なると強調した。
2人の英国人乗客が船から緊急搬送された。遠征ガイドを務めていた56歳の元警察官マーティン・アンスティー氏はオランダの病院に移送され、現在は安定した状態にある。69歳の別の英国人乗客は南アフリカに搬送されて集中治療室に入院しているが、「回復傾向にある」と当局は伝えた。船は今週末にカナリア諸島へ入港する予定だ。
スペインは、現在も船内に残っている英国人乗客19人とクルー4人の帰国便について、英国と協議を進めている。一方、集団感染が発覚する前に下船した乗客を対象に、スイスやオランダなど複数の国で接触者追跡が進められている。4月24日には、12か国の30人が南大西洋の孤島セントヘレナ島で下船しており、そのうち7人が英国人だった。
セントヘレナ島で下船した7人の英国人乗客のうち、4人は島内にとどまり、2人はヨハネスブルク経由で帰国後に自主隔離中、1人はまだ連絡が取れていない。隔離中の2人は無症状で、感染の報告を聞いて自ら保健当局に連絡した。帰国便で隣席だった乗客の追跡も続いており、公衆衛生当局が直面する複雑な課題を浮き彫りにしている。
重要単語・フレーズ
- self-isolateverb
To separate oneself from others voluntarily or by instruction, especially to prevent the possible spread of a contagious disease.
和訳: 自主隔離する
After returning from a region with a confirmed disease outbreak, travellers were advised to self-isolate for two weeks as a precautionary measure.
- incubation periodnoun
The time between initial exposure to an infectious agent and the appearance of the first symptoms of disease.
和訳: 潜伏期間
Because the incubation period for this illness can be as long as three weeks, many exposed individuals may not yet show any signs of infection.
- medical evacuationnoun
The urgent transfer of a sick or injured person from a location where adequate medical care is unavailable to a suitable medical facility, often by aircraft.
和訳: 医療搬送・緊急移送
The mountaineer suffered severe frostbite and required immediate medical evacuation by helicopter to the nearest hospital.
- contact tracingnoun
A public health procedure in which people who may have been exposed to a contagious disease through contact with an infected individual are identified and monitored.
