No Malaysians aboard hantavirus-linked cruise ship, says Dzulkefly

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad today said no Malaysians were on board the MV Hondius cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak, which had been en route to Spain’s Canary Islands.

Dzulkefly said the Ministry of Health had taken note of reports on the outbreak and had contacted Singapore health authorities this morning for updates.

“Although the situation is very much under control and does not involve our citizens, MOH will continue to closely monitor developments in this outbreak at the global and regional levels to ensure the country’s border preparedness and health system remain at the highest level,” he said in a Facebook post.

He said Singapore health authorities also confirmed that two Singaporean crew members had tested negative for hantavirus, while contact tracing was ongoing.

Dzulkefly said hantavirus is a rodent-borne virus that can spread to humans through air contaminated with droppings, urine or saliva, adding that Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome can have a fatality rate of 30 to 40 per cent.

“The public need not panic, but we must remain vigilant,” he said, urging the public to keep homes and workplaces clean from pest threats.

The World Health Organisation said yesterday that eight cases had been reported in the outbreak linked to the MV Hondius, comprising five confirmed infections and three deaths.

Reuters reported that Singapore had isolated and was testing two male residents who had been on board the ship after possible exposure, while Singapore authorities said the overall public risk remained low.