Joy as Tristanians arrive in Weymouth
Report and photo from Chris Carnegy
The four Tristan islanders who found themselves unexpectedly at the centre of the Hantavirus incident arrived in Weymouth on 4th June 2026, to begin a return to normal life.
Chris Carnegy in Weymouth with islanders Linda Green, and Katie, Geraldine & Paul Repetto.
Geraldine, Paul and Katie Repetto, and Linda Green, had been airlifted from St Helena to quarantine near Liverpool, but none showed any signs of the disease.
I collected them from Arrowe Park Hospital and together we drove to Weymouth on England's south coast, a place that has happy memories for Paul and Geraldine.
All four islanders were pleased to resume normal life,. On arrival we were pictured with Weymouth's yachting marina as the backdrop.
Hantavirus Isolation Update, 3rd June 2026
Tristan da Cunha
PUBLIC NOTICE
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued the following statement:
"Following a review of evidence, the self-isolation period for contacts of Andes hantavirus cases has now been reduced to 42 days. This aligns with World Health Organization (WHO) guidance.
UKHSA's initial 45-day approach was based on early risk assessment and was adopted until further epidemiological information emerged on the outbreak strain. Subsequent WHO guidance reduced this to a 42-day isolation period, which has now been adopted by most countries, including the UK."
Taking this into account I have amended the isolation for those who are isolating as follows:
| Tristan Cat 3 (high risk) contacts | Exposure | Last exposure date | Isolation until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islanders who travelled to St Helena | m/v Hondius to St Helena, now in Arrowe Park, UK |
22 April | 3 June |
| Close family contacts | Family of the suspected Tristan Hantavirus case |
02 May | 13 June |
| Hospital Staff | Treated the patient | 06 May | 17 June |
Philip Kendall
Administrator, 3rd June 2026
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Paratroopers' activities on Tristan while awaiting extraction
Report and photos from Kelly Green
Having said goodbye to the paratroopers and military medics who arrived on Tristan earlier this month as part of the emergency medical support operation, we would like to take a moment to thank them for everything they did during their time on the island.
Whilst the two military medics worked tirelessly at Camogli Hospital, providing valuable support to our healthcare team during a challenging period, the other paratroopers also became involved in island life and community activities.
Above and below: The paratroopers helping to replace fencing at The Patches
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They spent time helping the Agriculture Department to replace fencing at The Patches. They also visited St Mary's School where they met the children and shared some of their equipment, giving pupils a chance to see and feel what life in the military is like.
Getting comfortable in a bivi bag tent shelter.
Above and below: Trying out full sets of headgear.
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| Trying a day & night observation & location unit and walkie-talkies. | |
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| There's lots of things to explain, and Miss Marina is checking everything is OK. | |
The Tourism Department also organised a guided walk to The Ponds on the mountain, giving the team an opportunity to experience a little of Tristan's unique landscape. They even got to take part in the traditional Tristan pillow dance, which was a lovely way to share a small part of island culture with them.
The paratroopers taking part in the Pillow Dance in Prince Philip Hall.
A massive thank you to the whole team for their hard work, support and enthusiasm during their time on Tristan. It was a pleasure to meet you all, and we wish you a safe journey home.
Finally, here are a few more photographs of the transfer of personnel and kit from HMS Medway:
Paratroopers watching operations in the harbour.
The new medics look like they were enjoying the rough ride into the harbour.
RIB struggling with choppy seas as it approaches HMS Medway. Photo: Odile Cesari
HMS Medway Departs after Successfully Exchanging Personnel |
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| Conditions improved enough on the 24th May 2026 for HMS Medway to embark returning paratroopers and disembark relief medics. 24-May-2026 |
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Hantavirus - The Next Steps, 23rd May 2026 |
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| HMS Medway arrived on the 22nd May 2026 to replace the military personnel who arrived by parachute on the 9th May with a civilian team. 23-May-2026 |
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Details of the Daring Airdrop at Tristan da Cunha, 9th May 2026 |
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| More details and pictures have come in of the intrepid airdrop of urgent medical support sent to Tristan by the UK Government on the 9th May 2026. 12-May-2026 |
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First Ever Emergency Airdrop onto Tristan |
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| The first ever emergency airdrop of medical supplies and personnel onto Tristan took place on the 9th May 2026 as part of the UK Government's response to the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak. 9-May-2026 |
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Public Notices Regarding the MV Hondius Hantavirus, 6th May 2026 |
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| Three public notices on the implications of the hantavirus outbreak for Tristan. 7-May-2026 |
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Suspected Hantavirus on the Cruise Ship MV Hondius |
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| Public notice regarding the public health implications of the outbreak of hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which visited Tristan in April 2026 during her voyage. 4-May-2026 |
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- Special Visit by the SA Agulhas II (23-Feb-2026) >>
- Retirement of Teresa Green (30-Oct-2025) >>
- Anatomy of a Maritime Medical Emergency (14-Jan-2025) >>
- Maritime Medical Emergency, January 2024 (18-Jan-2024) >>
- First ever screening colonoscopy program on Tristan da Cunha (5-Dec-2023) >>
- Tristan da Cunha Administrator Evacuated (15-Mar-2023) >>