The St Helena Government (SHG) continues to work closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and territorial partners to manage the hantavirus response. Our approach remains cautious, proportionate, and guided by expert medical advice to protect our communities.
Territorial Status Update
- St Helena: There are currently no suspected or confirmed cases of hantavirus on the island. A specialist UK public health team and military planners are on island to support contingency planning and laboratory testing.
- Ascension: There are currently no confirmed cases on Ascension. However, one high-risk contact has developed symptoms. Whilst initial testing results were negative, as a precaution planning is underway for a medical evacuation to ensure the best available care is available immediately should it be required. A family member of this person arrived in St Helena over the weekend and, after a full public health risk assessment, it is clear that there is no risk of hantavirus to this family member or the wider community in St Helena as a result of their arrival.
- Tristan da Cunha: One probable case has been identified in an islander who travelled on the MV Hondius. The individual is currently stable and improving. A small number of residents remain in self-isolation as a precaution.
Success of SOLAS Medical Evacuation
SHG wishes to highlight the success of a challenging Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) operation yesterday. A patient in critical condition arrived by ship and was successfully transferred to the Jamestown General Hospital.
SHG extends its sincere thanks to the Sea Rescue and Emergency Services teams for their efforts. The extraction of the patient from the vessel was a complex and difficult task, but thanks to the efficiency and professionalism of these teams, the patient was disembarked is now receiving the vital care they need.
This medical evacuation was successfully managed under our established maritime health protocols. While the MV Hondius case is an extremely rare and isolated incident, SHG continues to implement standard operating public health precautions for all visiting vessels. In line with international and local health regulations, all ships must submit a Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH) and are subject to rigorous screening by Customs, Immigration, and Health officials before disembarkation. For further details on st Helena’s Maritime Health Protocols please refer to our updated Q&A https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/hantavirus-qa/.
Cruise Ship Visit
The cruise ship, Azamara Onward, is expected to visit St Helena next Tuesday, 19 May, originally embarking on the voyage from Cape Town, South Africa. The visit will go ahead as normal and established maritime health protocols will be undertaken as per standard practice to ensure the continued safety of our community. While we are sensitive to the concerns of the public following recent events, it is important to note that the hantavirus case was a rare occurrence and an isolated incident. For more information on this please refer to our updated Q&A: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/hantavirus-qa/
Pre-emptive Relocations
Following risk assessments by SHG public health professionals, guided and advised by the UKHSA, SHG is facilitating the pre-emptive relocation of a small group of higher risk individuals over the coming days to ensure they are closer to specialised medical care:
- From St Helena: A small number of individuals who travelled on the vessel have been assessed as “higher risk.” Though they are currently displaying no symptoms, they are being relocated to the UK to complete their isolation.
- From Ascension: Medical personnel who had close contact with a confirmed case are being relocated to the UK. A replacement medical team arrived on Ascension over the last weekend to maintain healthcare services.
Community Resilience and Preparedness
The arrival of additional personnel and medical kits is a matter of reassurance and does not indicate an increased risk to the general public, which remains very low. All cases identified to date have been passengers on the MV Hondius. The public are gently reminded that the virus does not spread through casual social contact.
Public Information
Daily updates and information radio sessions with Public Health professionals and other senior officials will continue until the end of this week. Frequency of updates for the following week will be reassessed and advertised accordingly.
The public are reminded to use official SHG channels for the most accurate information. The updated Q&A can be accessed here: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/hantavirus-qa/.
If you had direct contact with the vessel and develop symptoms, please call the Hantavirus Screening Line on 25949.
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