MALAYSIA is keeping a close watch on a deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to an Atlantic cruise ship, but health authorities say there is no direct impact on the country.
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed that no Malaysians were on board the MV Hondius, the vessel at the centre of the outbreak.
He added that the health ministry has been monitoring the situation and has also been in touch with Singaporean authorities, whose two crew members on the ship have since tested negative.
While the incident appears contained and does not involve Malaysians, Dzulkefly said the government is not taking any chances.
“The ministry will continue tracking developments at both regional and global levels to ensure Malaysia’s border readiness and healthcare response remain robust,” he stressed.
At the same time, he warned that hantavirus infections can be severe.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome carries a mortality rate of between 30% and 40%, and with no specific antiviral treatment available, prevention is critical.
Dzulkefly urged the public to stay calm but remain cautious, including keeping homes and workplaces clean and free from pests.
The strain identified in this outbreak — the Andes variant — is drawing particular attention.
Unlike most hantaviruses, which spread through contact with infected rodent waste, this strain can also be transmitted between humans through close and prolonged contact.
Authorities worldwide are now tracing passengers from the cruise to curb any potential spread.
The outbreak has so far claimed three lives — a Dutch couple and a German national — with eight others believed to have been infected.
The World Health Organisation expects the outbreak to remain limited, provided containment measures are effectively enforced as the ship continues its journey from Cape Verde to Tenerife. – May 8, 2026
