Source: 3 hantavirus contacts to return home – herald
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Health Reporter
ZIMBABWE has activated heightened public health surveillance measures following the planned repatriation of three Zimbabwean health workers from Ascension Island after they were identified as contacts of a confirmed hantavirus case.
Hantaviruses are a family of zoonotic viruses primary transmitted by infected rodents to humans. While the virus does not cause illness in the rodents themselves, human infection can lead to severe, rapidly progressive and potentially fatal diseases.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora yesterday said Government had put in place all the necessary precautionary measures to protect the public and safely manage the return of the trio.
“The individuals who are all health workers were identified as contacts of a confirmed hantavirus case while on Ascension Island. The three medical workers tested negative for a PCR tests done yesterday Sunday 10 May 2026. However, all three travelers are currently healthy and asymptomatic,” he said.
Dr Mombeshora said the evacuation had been necessitated by limited isolation and medical management capacity on the island, as well as the urgent availability of a charter aircraft.
He added that extensive precautionary measures had already been put in place to ensure the safe handling and monitoring of the three upon arrival at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
“The individuals will 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, the Minister said.
He said arrangements were being made for the travellers to remain together in a designated private isolation facility during the quarantine period.
Dr Mombeshora stressed that there was currently no indication that the travellers pose a public health risk to Zimbabweans.
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