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Dear friends,
After an eventful weekend where the UK government once again demonstrated its commitment to the Territory following the hantavirus outbreak, I want to provide an update on the ongoing response. I know many across our communities recognise the effort being committed and I continue to be grateful for your ongoing support. As you have now heard repeatedly, these measures are being applied out of an abundance of caution. This remains the case.
Across all three islands, specific UK Health Security Agency advice and risk assessment is being followed. This ensures support is deployed on the basis of clinical need and expert recommendation.
Tristan da Cunha
On Tristan da Cunha, there is one probable case of hantavirus in an islander who had travelled on the MV Hondius. As previously, we all wish a full and speedy recovery.
Comprehensive contact tracing has been completed and a small number of individuals are currently self-isolating as a precaution. At this stage, no other symptomatic cases have been identified. The wider risk to the community remains low.
To reinforce the island’s resilience, UK military personnel and medical supplies were successfully delivered by air drop on Saturday. This rapid deployment demonstrates the UK Government’s ability to provide practical support to even the most remote communities when needed.
St Helena
There are currently no suspected cases of hantavirus on St Helena.
As a precautionary measure, a UK public health team of three specialists arrived on Saturday alongside 14 boxes of medical kit and supplies. This enhances the island’s already strong local capability and ensures preparedness should the situation change.
Two UK military planners also arrived on Saturday. They will support ongoing response work and develop contingency options for any further assistance that may be required from the UK military or wider Government. This is prudent forward planning.
With our local Public Health team, the UK Health Security Agency continues to assess the risk to all individuals who had contact with suspected or confirmed cases while visiting St Helena. A number of residents remain in self-isolation and others are being supported while monitoring for symptoms.
The risk remains low.
All cases identified to date have been associated with passengers on the MV Hondius, where close contact was more likely. A small number of individuals currently on St Helena who travelled on the vessel have been assessed as higher risk. While the likelihood of illness remains low, UKHSA has advised that they should be the subject of pre-emptive relocation to the UK to complete their self-isolation. This is being arranged and they will be fully supported on arrival.
Ascension Island
There are currently no suspected cases of hantavirus on Ascension.
The resident medical personnel who had close contact with a confirmed case have been assessed as higher risk. In an abundance of caution, they are also being relocated. The first group has now been relocated to countries of residence in southern Africa. The second group will also be the subject of pre-emptive relocation to the UK. This is currently being arranged.
A medical team has arrived on Ascension to replace the resident team. In addition to delivering the healthcare requirements for the island, they will continue monitoring the hantavirus response.
UKHSA advice remains that the overall risk is low and that appropriate measures are in place across the Territory.
Conclusion
I would like to thank local teams across the Territory for their professionalism and calm response, as well as UK partners for the swift provision of specialist personnel, medical supplies and operational support.
Our approach is cautious, proportionate and guided by expert medical advice. We are acting early to reduce risk, support individuals affected and protect our communities.
We continue to work closely with international partners to ensure a coordinated response and it is important that information shared publicly remains accurate and based on verified advice.
We will continue to share information as appropriate, while respecting the privacy and resilience of those directly affected. We should all avoid speculation. Further updates, including on relocation arrangements and response measures, will be provided as plans develop.
#StHelena #Governor’sMessage
The public are reminded that the playground site at Half Tree Hollow remains an active construction area as part of the ongoing Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP) Playgrounds Project. The public are asked to stay outside of visible development areas and strictly adhere to site signage.
This new playground facility has been made possible through significant planning and investment under the EDIP, AC’s Multi-skill Contractors, assisted by HMP who has been diligently working to timely install the equipment, in all weather conditions. The continued support and cooperation of the community is appreciated as the project progresses towards completion.
Pictured is new playground equipment (upper terrace) and children’s outdoor gym equipment (middle terrace), recently installed. Still to be installed is synthetic safety grass beneath the existing swing frames (and swings / chains fitted) and climbing frame. Whilst equipment may appear inviting to use, the public (children) are requested to wait for a further announcement, when the playground is completed and equipment is safe to use.
Global developments, including ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran in the Middle East, continue to evolve. As with previous international events such as COVID‑19 and the conflict in Ukraine, these circumstances can contribute to availability and rising costs of food, fuel and other commodities worldwide.
At present, assessments of the situation on the island do not indicate any immediate risk to the availability of food, fuel, or access to St Helena. Supplies are continuing as planned, and there are no concerns about shortages at this time. However, it is likely that cost pressures will continue, reflecting wider global inflation.
As an isolated island community, our resilience is strengthened when we all take practical steps to use resources thoughtfully and responsibly. Simple actions can help reduce pressure and support long‑term sustainability, including:
- Being mindful of energy use, such as switching off lights and appliances when not in use;
- Reducing reliance on imported meats, fruit and vegetables where possible, for example through buying more local produce and growing small amounts of produce at home;
- Using fuel efficiently by car sharing and avoiding unnecessary journeys;
- Supporting local producers and businesses by buying local where possible
These are voluntary measures that many people already follow, and together they can make a positive difference.
The situation continues to be closely monitored, and the public will be kept informed of any significant changes. Should further updates be required, these will be shared through official SHG channels.
#StHelena #FoodandFuelSupplies #GlobalDevelopments
As part of the St Helena Governments (SHG’s) preparedness arrangements, we are pleased to inform the public that we have enhanced our medical capabilities on the island, as a purely precautionary measure.
Three additional medical staff arrived on the island today, comprising an infection prevention and control specialist and two laboratory scientists. We are grateful to UK Health Security Agency(UKHSA) for their support in this respect.
Furthermore, two members of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) have also arrived to assist with logistics and planning.
We expect to receive additional medical consumables on the return of the Airlink flight from Ascension, scheduled for tomorrow. Similar supplies have already been delivered there.
As previously notified, a patient for whom a diagnosis of hantavirus is considered probable is currently on Tristan. To assist with their planning, preparation and response we are pleased to advise that a Royal Air Force (RAF) flight conducted an airdrop of essential equipment and personnel to Tristan this afternoon.
These responses demonstrate that the commitments made by the UK Government are more than just words. They are delivering real, tangible support across the island groups of the Territory as a whole.
The arrival of additional personnel and equipment on St Helena does not change the current position. It is not a cause for concern but a matter of reassurance. There are no symptomatic individuals on the island and no suspected cases. We still consider the risk to the wider community to be very low. As we have stated throughout, we continue to plan with an abundance of caution given the potential medical consequences, should a case be confirmed.
We reiterate the need to continue to follow the public health advice and rely on official sources of information.
#StHelena #Hantavirus #Medicalsupplies
As we reach the end of the week, the St Helena Government (SHG) is providing a summary update on the hantavirus response. Whilst international efforts continue, we are highlighting the coordination between local and global health partners that has shaped the response to date.
The current international response was initiated by the early observations of officials in both St Helena and Ascension. Our local professionals worked quickly to alert health partners around the world, via colleagues at the United Kingdom Health Security Agency, of potential connections to deaths of passengers of the MV Hondius shortly after the vessel’s visit to St Helena.
Whilst the specific identification of the hantavirus was only confirmed following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) formal declaration, this early communication helped international authorities begin the coordination and tracking efforts now fully underway.
Daily coordination and incident management meetings, hosted by UKHSA, are being attended by members of the Health & Social Care Portfolio to ensure the most robust, reliable and up to date information is provided to and from St Helena.
Local Preparedness and Medical Supplies
Whilst there remain no confirmed or suspected cases on St Helena, we continue to operate out of an abundance of caution. We can confirm that a shipment of additional medical supplies from the UK is on Ascension and due to arrive on the next Airlink flight, bolstering our local stocks to in the event of any potential developments.
Amongst this consignment are thermometers for those persons in isolation to measure their temperatures. This allows for precise daily temperature checks as part of our active monitoring by health officials.
Regional Update: Tristan da Cunha
We have been informed that, regrettably, an individual on Tristan da Cunha has been identified as a suspected case. The key point is that this gentleman was a passenger on the ship; all confirmed cases to date have been limited to passengers on MV Hondius who spent prolonged periods in close contact.
It is a positive sign that the individual has not entered the respiratory distress stage of the virus. We understand that he is currently stable, and SHG will receive a further update later today. We remain in close communication with our counterparts in Tristan da Cunha as they monitor the situation, and we wish this individual well, hoping for a full recovery.
Weekly Summary and Contact Tracing
- Case Status: Zero suspected cases of Andes hantavirus on St Helena.
- Contact Tracing: We have now advised 22 individuals to enter isolation on St Helena. There are 83 people in the lower risk category.
- Daily Updates: Official updates will continue to be issued daily on weekdays to keep the public informed. The next update is expected to be issued on Monday 11 May 2026.
- Radio talks: Radio talks with a Public Health professional and a senior government official will continue on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and will continue until further notice.
Information and Guidance
The community is reminded that hantavirus does not spread through casual social contact and the risk to the general public remains low.
For further information and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit our dedicated Q&A page: www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/Hantavirus-QA-07.05.26.pdf. Enquiries can be emailed to communications@sainthelena.gov.sh
Anyone who has had direct contact with the MV Hondius and develops a fever or muscle aches is advised to call the Hantavirus Screening Line on 25949 for guidance before attending the hospital or a clinic.
We encourage the public to continue to utilise official SHG communications channels for informed updates and thank you for your continued support.
#StHelena #PublicHealth #GlobalHealth #TristanDaCunha #WHO
The public are advised that the next round of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations for individuals wishing to receive their first dose has been scheduled as follows:
| Date | Time | Location |
| Week 1 | First doses | |
| Monday 18 May | 10am – 2pm | HTH (CCC) |
| Tuesday 19 May | 10am – 2pm | Longwood (Harford CC) |
| Wednesday 20 May | 10am – 2pm | JTCC |
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the session most convenient to them. Vaccination remains an important step in protecting yourself and the wider community from MMR. For individuals who are housebound and unable to attend any of the above sessions, arrangements can be made for a home visit by a nurse. Please contact the Health Promotion team on 25949 to register your request.
The St Helena Government (SHG) is providing the following daily update regarding the ongoing response to the hantavirus incident linked to the vessel MV Hondius. To ensure the public remains informed, updates will now be issued daily on weekdays.
The Health and Social Care Portfolio continues to conduct thorough contact tracing assessments. We are pleased to report a significant reduction in the number of individuals initially assessed as “low risk” as further data is processed.
Clarification on Power Outages
SHG recognises that a separate incident is currently ongoing involving recent power outages. We would like to clarify that these outages are being addressed by Connect Saint Helena and has no impact on the hantavirus response. Hospital services, cold-chain storage for medical supplies, and public health monitoring systems are functioning normally and remain unaffected by these local power issues.
Reminder of Public Guidance
The risk to the general community remains low. Contact tracing for the recent Airlink flight remains the responsibility of South African authorities. All residents of St Helena who were on this flight, and have subsequently returned, have been identified and given the appropriate advice, guidance and support.
The Hantavirus Screening Line (25949) is available for anyone who had direct contact with the vessel or its passengers to report any symptoms.
Please call the line for guidance before visiting the hospital.
For further information and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit our dedicated Q&A page: www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/Hantavirus-QA-07.05.26.pdf.
#StHelena #PublicHealth #MVHondius #WHO #ConnectSaintHelena
The Provisional Register of Electors for 2026 has been published today, Thursday 7 May 2026.
Eligible persons will have until 16:00 on Friday 22 May 2026 to submit applications using Form ‘A’ to amend the provisional register.
Persons who have St Helenian Status as defined by law (Immigration Ordinance, 2011), are ordinarily resident on St Helena, and are aged 17 years or over may apply to amend the Provisional Register. Amendments include:
- Adding your name
- Amending any details in the Provisional Register, e.g. if you have changed your name or address
- Changing the Electoral District in which you can vote
The Registration Officer aims to publish a final Register of Electors which is as up-to-date and accurate as possible. Eligible persons are able to apply to amend any of their personal details which may be out of date using Form ‘A’. For example, they may have changed their name or address and wish to update their registration details.
It is possible also to amend the register to enable voting in a different district from that in which you live. For example, an eligible person may live in Longwood and work in Jamestown, so when there is an election, it may be more convenient for them to vote in Jamestown during the working day. It is possible for the register to accommodate this, provided the eligible person makes an application to do so.
The importance of including accurate information in the register cannot be overstated, so please check the Provisional Register to make sure your details are accurate. The Registration Officer or any of the Assistant Registration Officers can check the details for you if you are not able to access a copy of the register. Remember it is your responsibility to check the Provisional Register and to make an application to amend it if you wish to.
Completed Forms ‘A’ can be submitted by 16:00 on Friday 22 May, to either of the following officers at the Castle, in hard copy or via email:
Carol Henry: carol.henry@sainthelena.gov.sh; Anita Legg: anita.legg@sainthelena.gov.sh;
or any of the Assistant Registration Officers listed at www.sainthelena.gov.sh/st-helena/government/public-information/elections/.
Persons who are ordinarily resident on the island, but who are currently offshore can apply to amend the register by using the prescribed Form ‘B’.
Both Form ‘A’ and Form ‘B’ can be accessed on the SHG website at www.sainthelena.gov.sh/st-helena/government/public-information/elections/.
#StHelena #ProvisionalRegisterOfElectors #RegisterToVote
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
Further to the previous public announcement regarding the Central Support Service Away Day, please note that this has been postponed due to pressing issues currently being dealt with.
Central Support Service will operate as normal tomorrow, 8 May 2026.
The St Helena Government (SHG) continues to work closely with international health partners to manage the response to the Andes hantavirus situation involving the expedition vessel MV Hondius.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially taken the lead in coordinating the global response, including the tracking and tracing of any further cases across international borders.
There are St Helenians overseas, who were passengers on the outbound flight from St Helena on 25 April, who have been contacted by international partners as part of this tracing process. SHG is working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the WHO to share and monitor all health data. All of those who have subsequently returned to St Helena have been contacted directly by our team on island.
In St Helena, the Health and Social Care Portfolio (HSC) confirms:
- There are currently no suspected or confirmed cases of hantavirus on the Island.
- The risk to the general public remains low. The Andes hantavirus is not known to spread through passing or casual social contact such as in shops, schools, or workplaces.
- There is no risk to the public from the deceased passenger who passed away on board the MV Hondius on the 11 April 2026. All handling procedures to retrieve the body on 23 April 2026, and store it locally prior to repatriation, met high safety standards to protect both staff and the community.
Ongoing Precautions
As a precautionary measure, the HSC continues to monitor a small number of individuals identified as “higher risk” contacts (those who had close, prolonged contact with the unwell passengers of the vessel). These individuals remain in good health and are receiving daily check-ins from medical professionals.
Written guidance has been issued to higher risk contacts currently being advised to isolate at home. This includes the required period of isolation which, in consultation with experts at the UK Health Security Agency, has been set as 45 days from the last known exposure to the virus. This means that the period of isolation will end on 9 June subject to any developments in the situation in St Helena.
The Hantavirus Screening Telephone Line (25949) remains active. Anyone who boarded the vessel or had close contact with its passengers and subsequently develops symptoms of hantavirus such as fever, muscle aches, breathing difficulties or gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, diarrhoea) is advised to call this number for guidance. They should not attend the hospital in person.
Whilst the international nature of this incident requires a coordinated global response, the situation on St Helena remains stable and controlled. We ask the public to remain calm and to respect the privacy of those affected by this incident.
Updates will be provided daily from 18:00 to 21:00 until further notice.
#StHelena #PublicHealth #MVHondius