Ascension Island Government (AIG) is aware of a confirmed case of Hantavirus associated with a passenger from the expedition vessel MV Hondius.

On Monday 27 April 2026, a passenger from the vessel was admitted to Georgetown Hospital. The same individual was then medically evacuated on Wednesday 29 April. It has since been confirmed that the patient was infected with a strain of Hantavirus.

Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents. Transmission between individuals is rare. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle pains, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting. In some cases, coughing and breathing difficulties may develop later in the illness.

As a precaution, a small number of hospital staff who were involved in the patient’s care are self-monitoring for symptoms in line with established public health guidance. The risk to the wider community is extremely low, and there is no cause for immediate concern.

AIG is working closely with the community, St Helena Government and the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to monitor the situation.

In the meantime, the following additional measures are being introduced in Georgetown Hospital:

• Medical staff will use basic personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves and masks, during patient consultations.

• Face-to-face consultations will be limited where possible. Patients are asked to avoid booking non-urgent appointments for the next two weeks. This will be kept under review.

• Individuals requiring medical assistance should call the hospital on 66252 in the first instance.

• Arrangements for the collection of repeat medications can be made by contacting the hospital in advance.

• An additional medical officer is being recruited to assist with maintaining essential services to our community during this period.

AIG thanks the public for their cooperation and understanding. Further updates will be provided when available.

Office of the Administrator

04 May 2026

Hantavirus — Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents (like mice and rats). They can cause serious illnesses in people, including fatalities. People with underlying health conditions may be at a higher risk of poor outcomes.

2. How do people get hantavirus?
People usually become infected when they breathe in air contaminated with virus particles from rodent urine, droppings (faeces), or saliva. It can also happen if these materials get into cuts or eyes, or—rarely—through rodent bites.

3. Can hantaviruses spread from person to person?
Most hantaviruses are not spread between people. They are spread by contact with rodents and their waste.

Exception: A specific hantavirus in South America called Andes virus has been documented to spread between people in close household or intimate contact in rare outbreaks.

The specific hantavirus affecting passengers aboard the MV Hondius has not yet been identified.

4. What are the symptoms of hantavirus infection?

Symptoms can vary but include:

• Fatigue, fever, muscle aches
• Headache, dizziness, chills
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain
• Later: coughing and difficulty breathing

5. How long before symptoms appear?
About 1–8 weeks can pass between exposure to the virus and developing symptoms.

6. What is the recovery time?
It may take several weeks to fully recover.

7. Should people worry about casual contact?
No. Everyday social contact (like walking in public spaces, shops, workplaces, or schools) is not a known risk for spreading hantavirus.

Close and prolonged contact with a person suffering from hantavirus is the main risk observed in rare human-to-human spread.

8. Do I need to isolate at home?
No. Persons identified by the Senior Medical Team to have had close and prolonged contact with a confirmed or suspected case of hantavirus will be asked to self-monitor for symptoms in line with established public health guidance. If symptoms occur at any point, these individuals will be required to isolate.

9. What should I do if I develop symptoms?
If you develop symptoms, especially fever, contact the Georgetown Hospital on 66252 for advice but please DO NOT attend in person in the first instance. Early supportive care can improve outcomes.

10. Is there a vaccine or specific cure?
There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus infections. Treatment is supportive and based on symptoms, such as hospital care and respiratory support.

Those who become unwell following contact with a person with hantavirus are likely to require medical evacuation to the UK or South Africa.