The public is advised that the Health and Social Care (HSC) Portfolio continues to respond to the hantavirus situation linked to the expedition vessel MV Hondius, which visited St Helena from 22 to 24 April 2026. We are working closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and international partners to assess and manage the situation.
Globally, there have been three deaths reported, two of which have been confirmed as infected with hantavirus. There are a further four people with suspected hantavirus infection around the world, all of whom remain in a stable condition. Definitive information on the specific type of hantavirus associated with this incident is awaited from our international partners.
On St Helena, there are currently no people with suspected hantavirus infection. All higher risk contacts identified to date have received daily verbal contact from a doctor, including instruction on the need to self-isolate at home. People living in the same household as higher risk contacts do not need to self-isolate. All lower risk contacts have been issued with an information letter and actions to take should they develop symptoms.
Further written guidance for those in isolation is being developed in partnership with experts at the UKHSA and will be issued tomorrow, 6 May. This includes information on the necessary period for isolation. Additional support for those in isolation is being coordinated by HSC.
The risk to the wider community remains low. Everyday social contact, for example in shops, workplaces, schools or public spaces, is not considered a known risk for spreading hantavirus. In the rare instances of person-to-person spread, the main risk is close and prolonged contact with someone who is unwell.
New Hantavirus Screening Line
If you had close contact with passengers or crew, or boarded the MV Hondius during its visit, please call the new Hantavirus Screening Line on Tele No: 25949 if you develop symptoms or are worried you may have been exposed.
Possible symptoms include:
- fatigue, fever and muscle aches
- headache, dizziness and chills
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal pain
- later, symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Please do not attend the hospital in person without first being screened by telephone. This helps protect patients, staff and the wider public by ensuring the right clinical advice and infection prevention measures are in place before any face-to-face assessment.
People who have not had any contact with the passengers or crew and have not boarded the MV Hondius should seek healthcare in the usual way if required.
Following the screening call, a clinician will review the information provided. If a face-to-face assessment is needed, the ambulance service will attend to assess the person safely and arrange further care. This reduces the risk of anyone who may be infectious attending the hospital without the correct precautions in place.
In a medical emergency, including severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, collapse or serious deterioration, call 999 immediately and tell the call handler that you may have had contact linked to the MV Hondius.
The public are thanked for their continued support and cooperation. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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