Zimbabwe To Quarantine Three Health Workers Linked To Hantavirus Contact Case From Ascension Island

The Government of Zimbabwe is preparing to receive three Zimbabwean healthcare workers identified as contacts of a confirmed hantavirus case while on Ascension Island, amid heightened international monitoring of a rare outbreak linked to a cruise ship voyage. According to Douglas Mombeshora, the three medical workers tested negative for hantavirus on PCR tests conducted on Sunday, May 10, but will still undergo strict quarantine and monitoring procedures after arriving in Zimbabwe.

In a statement released Monday, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the three individuals would be repatriated via a private charter aircraft due to limited isolation and treatment capacity on Ascension Island.

“The individuals, who are all health workers, were identified as contacts of a confirmed hantavirus case while on Ascension Island,” Mombeshora said.

“The three medical workers tested negative for a PCR test done yesterday, Sunday, the 10th of May 2026. However, all three travellers are currently healthy and are asymptomatic.”

Authorities say the evacuation was approved following health risk assessments and international coordination efforts.

The Health Ministry confirmed that multiple public health precautions will be implemented immediately upon arrival at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. The travellers will undergo screening by Port Health Services before being transferred to a designated private isolation facility. According to the ministry, the three individuals will remain under active medical observation for 45 days.

“Appropriate infection prevention and control measures will be implemented throughout the transfer and monitoring processes,” Mombeshora said.

Officials added that the healthcare workers would remain together in quarantine during the observation period.

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses primarily spread by rodents, particularly rats and mice. The virus is commonly transmitted when people inhale contaminated dust particles containing infected rodent urine, saliva, or droppings. Mombeshora sought to reassure Zimbabweans that hantavirus does not spread through casual human interaction.

“You cannot catch it from talking to, touching or caring for an infected person,” he said.

“It’s also not spread through food cooked properly, water or casual contact in markets, schools, offices or public transport.”

The minister urged citizens to reduce rodent exposure by sealing homes and grain storage areas, properly storing food, and wearing protective gear when cleaning rodent-infested spaces.

The Zimbabwean health workers were reportedly linked to a growing international outbreak associated with the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius. The vessel departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026, and travelled through several remote destinations, including Antarctica, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena, Ascension Island, and Cape Verde.

Health authorities say the outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, a rare variant capable of limited person-to-person transmission. According to the World Health Organization, six laboratory-confirmed cases and three deaths had been recorded by May 10.

Victims included a Dutch man, his wife, who later died in South Africa, and a German woman.

More than eight confirmed and suspected cases have reportedly emerged among passengers from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. Contact tracing efforts are now spanning more than 12 countries.

Zimbabwean authorities insist the public faces no immediate danger.

“The ministry wishes to reassure the public that the situation is under control and that surveillance and response systems remain active and prepared,” Mombeshora said.

Health officials say Zimbabwe is working closely with airport authorities, Port Health Services, and international partners to ensure safe monitoring of the returning healthcare workers.

Zimbabwe hantavirus case