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