The St Helena Government (SHG) is providing its final daily update for the week regarding the hantavirus response, as local and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) teams continue their coordinated efforts across the Territory.
Pre-emptive Relocations Scheduled
Following specialised risk assessments, the planned, pre-emptive relocation of higher-risk individuals to the UK is scheduled to go ahead this weekend. Please note that these movements remain subject to weather conditions. Four individuals currently on St Helena and five individuals on Ascension Island will be relocated to the UK to complete their isolation periods near specialised medical care.
None of the individuals scheduled for relocation are currently showing symptoms of illness, and these transfers are being undertaken purely as a pre-emptive and precautionary measure.
Financial Support for Self-Isolating Individuals
To assist those impacted by public health measures, SHG will provide financial support to eligible individuals identified as higher-risk contacts who are required to self-isolate for 45 days. This scheme is specifically designed for people formally instructed by SHG Public Health to isolate at home who cannot work, resulting in a loss of income. Eligible applicants may receive support payments of up to £160 per week during their isolation period. These payments will be made weekly, and the first payment will be backdated to the start of the individual’s isolation.
Eligible individuals will be contacted directly by SHG with further details on the scheme and instructions on how to access it. Please note that employees who continue to receive their normal salary from their employer during this period (including SHG employees) are not eligible, as they have experienced no loss of income.
Adjustment to Communications Schedule
As the initial phase of the incident response stabilises and our enhanced on-island capabilities are established, the frequency of routine public updates will decrease. For the following week, information will be shared on the following scheduled basis:
- Monday and Friday: A formal update will be issued via official SHG press releases.
- Wednesday: An update will be shared via local radio broadcasts (SAMS and Saint FM) featuring public health and government officials.
The public are reassured that if a situation arises where additional or urgent communications are required, SHG will issue updates accordingly.
Territorial Status and Testing Reminders
- St Helena Status: There remain zero confirmed or suspected cases of hantavirus on St Helena.
- Testing Feasibility: UKHSA laboratory personnel continue to verify safety and quality checks to establish limited, on-island testing capabilities ahead of the weekend. Testing will be strictly reserved for clinical screening and will not be available on request.
Public Information and Guidance
The next routine update will be issued on Monday, 18 May 2026.
The community is thanked for their continued support and is reminded to rely on official SHG channels for verified information. The updated Q&A can be accessed here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/hantavirus-qa/.
If you had direct contact with the MV Hondius and develop the following symptoms, please contact the Hantavirus Screening Line on 25949 for guidance before attending any medical facility:
- Fever
- Extreme fatigue (feeling more tired than usual)
- Muscle aches
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
- Shortness of breath
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