HPA: Risk of Hantavirus spreading to the Maldives ‘extremely low’

Health Protection Agency (HPA) stated on Friday night that the risk of Hantavirus spreading to the Maldives remains "extremely low".

The statement follows an outbreak aboard the cruise ship “MV Hondius,” which departed from Argentina approximately one month ago. The virus has so far claimed three lives on the vessel, while four additional individuals were evacuated for medical treatment. In response, international health authorities have launched efforts to trace passengers who returned to countries including the United Kingdom and the United States in an attempt to contain any further spread.

Hantavirus is generally transmitted through air contaminated by rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. However, the strain identified aboard the cruise ship is the “Andes” variant, which is capable of spreading through close human-to-human contact.

The incident has attracted significant international attention amid growing concerns over the possibility of a wider outbreak.

Commenting on the situation, the HPA said it is closely monitoring developments through the World Health Organization (WHO) following the detection of the virus aboard a cruise liner operating in the South American region. The agency confirmed that no cases of the virus, nor any individuals identified as having contact with infected persons, have been detected in the Maldives to date.

The HPA further reassured the public that the risk to the Maldives remains very low and stated that updates would continue to be shared as additional information becomes available.

Health experts have also stressed that the threat to the general public remains minimal. WHO’s infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove has assured that the situation does not signal the start of a pandemic. She detailed that Hantavirus differs significantly from COVID-19 and influenza, emphasizing that its method of transmission is entirely different.

Symptoms of Hantavirus typically develop between one and eight weeks following exposure. Early symptoms resemble those of influenza and include high fever, fatigue, severe muscle pain — particularly in the thighs, hips, and back — as well as headaches and gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and diarrhea.

The illness can rapidly progress to severe respiratory complications, including persistent coughing, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties caused by fluid accumulation in the lungs.