Sharon Chigeza
MUTARE-The Ministry of Health and Child Care has announced the planned repatriation of three Zimbabwean nationals from Ascension Island, where they were identified as contacts of a confirmed hantavirus case.
The three, all health workers, are set to arrive in the country via a private charter flight.
In a media brief released on Monday, Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, confirmed that the evacuation was necessitated by limited isolation and medical management capacity on the island, as well as the urgent availability of a charter aircraft.
He assured the public that all three travellers are currently healthy, asymptomatic, and have tested negative for hantavirus following PCR tests conducted on May 10,2026.
“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, and all three travellers are currently healthy and asymptomatic,” said Minister Mombeshora.
Upon arrival at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, the three will undergo screening and assessment by port health officials. They will then be placed under active monitoring for symptoms associated with hantavirus infection throughout the recommended observation period.
The Ministry has arranged for the travellers to remain together in a designated private isolation facility, where strict infection prevention and control measures will be implemented during the quarantine period.
Dr Mombeshora moved quickly to allay public fears, stating that at present, there is no indication that the travellers pose a public health risk.
He explained that hantavirus is not transmitted through person to person contact in most cases and that all precautionary measures are being implemented in line with international public health protocols.
“Casual contact with people or everyday activities in Zimbabwe does not put you at risk,” Dr Mombeshora stated, urging calm while affirming that all necessary precautions are being taken to protect public health.
