As we reach the end of the week, the St Helena Government (SHG) is providing its scheduled Friday update on the territorial hantavirus response. Local health teams, alongside international partners, continue to maintain robust monitoring systems across the islands.
Successful Cruise Ship Visit
St Helena successfully welcomed a visiting cruise ship, Azamara Onward, on Tuesday, 19 May. The visit proceeded smoothly and as planned.
All established maritime health protocols, including the mandatory advanced submission of the Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH) and rigorous screening by HM Customs and Immigration, and Health officials, were successfully executed at the point of disembarkation. This successful visit reinforces that while we remain sensitive to public anxieties following recent events, the hantavirus incident was a rare and isolated occurrence. Cruise operators maintain high safety standards and work in total alignment with local authorities to ensure the continued safety of our community.
Territorial Status Update
- St Helena: There remain zero confirmed or suspected cases of hantavirus on St Helena.
- Ascension Island: There are currently no confirmed cases on the island.
- Tristan da Cunha: The single probable case identified earlier this month remains in stable condition.
Summary of Key Weekly Achievements
- On-Island Testing: The limited on-island laboratory testing capability managed by specialist UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) personnel is operational. Testing is strictly prioritised for clinical screening by the medical team and weekly monitoring of high-risk contacts; it is not available on request. A negative test result does not allow an individual to exit isolation early but serves as an early clinical warning system.
- Completed Relocations: Following last weekend’s successful Titan Airways charter flight, all nine relocated individuals from St Helena and Ascension are safely in the UK continuing their precautionary isolation periods near specialised medical facilities.
A Message of Thanks to Those in Isolation
As most of us looked forward to the St Helena Day celebrations and the upcoming public holiday, SHG and Gold Command wish to extend a sincere thank you to those individuals who are currently in self-isolation. We recognise that enduring this period of isolation, especially in the midst of uncertainty and during a time of national celebration, requires immense patience and resilience. Your commitment to following these strict public health measures is a vital part of keeping our wider community safe, and your cooperation is deeply appreciated by the entire island.
Future Communications Schedule
As the hantavirus incident response has stabilised and our on-island protocols are fully established, routine updates will no longer be issued on a fixed schedule. Going forward, formal press releases and public updates will only be issued on an “as and when needed” basis, meaning we will provide updates only when new or significant information becomes available. The community is reassured that if any developments occur that require immediate public awareness, SHG will share that information as soon as possible.
The community is thanked for their continued resilience and support. If you had direct contact with the MV Hondius and experience symptoms, please call the Hantavirus Screening Line on 25949 for guidance before attending any medical facility.
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