Government has announced plans to repatriate three Zimbabwean health workers from Ascension Island after they were identified as contacts of a confirmed hantavirus case.
In a statement yesterday, Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Douglas Mombeshora said the Ministry had been notified of the planned evacuation of the three Zimbabwean nationals aboard a private charter flight from Ascension Island to Zimbabwe.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care has been notified of the planned repatriation of three Zimbabwean nationals from Ascension Island to Zimbabwe via a private charter flight,” said Dr Mombeshora.
He said the individuals, who are all health workers, had been identified as contacts of a confirmed hantavirus case while stationed on the island.
“The three medical workers tested negative for PCR tests done yesterday Sunday 10 May 2026. However, all three travellers are currently healthy and asymptomatic,” Dr Mombeshora said.
According to the Minister, the evacuation was necessitated by limited isolation and medical management capacity on Ascension Island, as well as the urgent availability of a charter aircraft.
Dr Mombeshora said the Ministry, through Port Health Services, had already undertaken a risk assessment and established precautionary measures to ensure the safe arrival and monitoring of the travellers.
“The travellers will undergo screening and assessment by Port Health Officials upon arrival at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport,” he said.
He added that the individuals would remain under active monitoring for symptoms associated with hantavirus infection during the recommended observation period.
“Appropriate infection prevention and control measures will be implemented throughout the transfer and monitoring process,” said Dr Mombeshora.
The Minister said arrangements were also being made for the travellers to remain together in a designated private isolation facility during the quarantine period.
Addressing public concerns, Dr Mombeshora said there was currently no evidence suggesting that the travellers posed any danger to the public.
“At present, there is no indication that the travellers pose a public health risk. Hantavirus is not transmitted through casual person-to-person contact in most cases, and all precautionary measures are being implemented in line with international public health protocols,” he said.
The Ministry also urged members of the public to maintain good hygiene and rodent control practices to reduce the risk of hantavirus transmission.
“I advise households, shops and grain storage facilities to be rodent-proofed by sealing holes and food should stored in sealed containers.
The public is encouraged to safely clean areas with rodent signs by wetting surfaces first to avoid dust, wearing gloves and masks and washing hands thoroughly afterward,” he added.
Dr Mombeshora also assured the public that the situation is under control and response systems have been put in place in case any emergency arises.
“The Ministry wishes to reassure the public that the situation is under control and that surveillance and response systems remain active and prepared,” he said.
Hantavirus is a viral disease primarily spread through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings or saliva. Human infections are rare but can cause severe respiratory or kidney complications in some cases.
