Should Malaysians Be Concerned About Hantavirus? Here’s What We Know About the Risks & the Situation So Far

The hantavirus has been a hot topic around the globe, including in Malaysia. Given how recent the COVID-19 lockdown still feels for many, it’s natural that people are feeling cautious about this new disease linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship.

Here’s everything you need to know about hantavirus, the suspected “patient zero” onboard the cruise ship, and the current situation in Malaysia.

What is hantavirus?

Image Credit: Doherty Institute

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses naturally carried by rodents. There are between 20 and 40 distinct variants of the virus, but only one, the Andes virus, is capable of spreading between humans.

Meanwhile, all other hantavirus variants are primarily transmitted to humans through direct contact with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents.

Hantavirus infections are relatively uncommon globally. However, when transmission between humans does occur, it is usually associated with close and prolonged contact, particularly among household members or intimate partners.

What are the symptoms?

In humans, symptoms of hantavirus typically begin between one and eight weeks after exposure. They usually include flu-like symptoms such as:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

In the Western Hemisphere, hantavirus can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which may lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath and coughing, and can progress to respiratory failure and death.

Meanwhile, in Europe and Asia, the virus can cause Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which may result in internal bleeding, low blood pressure, and kidney failure.

The suspected “patient zero”

Image Credit: France24

A hantavirus cluster reportedly emerged onboard the MV Hondius cruise ship during a voyage that began in early April this year.

A Dutch ornithologist, Leo Schilperoord, has been identified as the suspected “patient zero”. It is understood that the 70-year-old birdwatcher and his wife, Mirjam, 69, had contracted the rare Andes strain during a visit to a landfill near Ushuaia in southern Argentina.

According to reports, the couple visited the landfill to search for rare birds, including Darwin’s caracara. At the time of exposure, they were near the end of a five-month birdwatching expedition across South America.

Image Credit: MARCA

Leo later developed severe symptoms, including fever, headache, and abdominal pain, on 6 April. Just a few days later, on 11 April, he died aboard the ship.

During a stop at Saint Helena on 24 April, Mirjam reportedly disembarked with her husband’s body and travelled to Johannesburg to catch a flight to the Netherlands. However, airline staff deemed her too unwell to fly. She later collapsed at the airport and died the following day, reportedly from the same virus that had claimed her husband’s life.

As of 9 May, three deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak on the cruise ship. In total, there are six confirmed cases and two probable cases so far.

Can hantavirus be treated?

So far, there is no licensed antiviral treatment or vaccine for hantavirus. However, the disease can be managed through supportive care and close clinical monitoring.

Supportive care is most effective when initiated early, especially for patients with hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome.

How can hantavirus infection be prevented?

Prevention primarily depends on reducing contact between people and rodents. Some recommended measures include:

• Keeping homes and workplaces clean
• Sealing entry points that allow rodents to enter buildings
• Storing food securely
• Using safe cleaning practices in areas contaminated by rodents (e.g. wearing gloves and masks)
• Avoiding dry sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings

What’s the situation in Malaysia?

So far, there have been no recorded cases of hantavirus in Malaysia, and no Malaysians have been affected. Despite this, the country remains on high alert, with border controls strengthened through health screenings and heightened preparedness at airports, seaports, and major entry points by the International Entry Point Health Office.

Image Credit: Utusan Malaysia

In a BERNAMA report, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the approach is crucial, as public health challenges are now global in nature and no country is truly safe without precautionary measures.

“We do not want to be alarmist, but at the same time, we do not want people to become complacent by saying that this is happening elsewhere (abroad).”

Dr Dzulkefly added that, to date, a total of 22,367 ships and boats have been inspected at Malaysia’s entry points, with 2,421 pratique certificates and 1,146 Ships’ Sanitation Certificates (SSC) issued.

Featured Image Credit: BBC, Shutterstock, Astro Awani