Singapore isolates cruise passengers linked to deadly hantavirus outbreak

Singapore has isolated and is testing two of its residents who travelled aboard a cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Thursday.

The two men, aged 67 and 65, were aboard the ship when it departed from the Argentine port of Ushuaia on 1 April 2026. One arrived in Singapore on 2 May and the other on 6 May.

According to Singapore’s Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), one of the men has a runny nose but is otherwise well, while the second remains asymptomatic.

“The risk to the general public in Singapore is currently low,” the agency said.

Quarantine and monitoring measures

The two passengers are currently being tested for hantavirus at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) in Singapore. 

If they test negative, they will undergo a 30-day quarantine period from the date of last exposure, followed by additional testing before release and phone surveillance for the remainder of the 45-day maximum incubation period.

If either tests positive, they will remain in hospital for treatment and monitoring.

Track and trace

Countries worldwide are tracing passengers from the virus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius to prevent further spread of hantavirus after an outbreak linked to the vessel left three people dead and several others infected.

A Dutch couple and a German national have died in the outbreak, while eight cases have so far been linked to the cluster. Three of those cases were confirmed as hantavirus infections, while the remaining cases are still under investigation.

Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents, including exposure to their urine, droppings or saliva. Although person-to-person transmission is rare, the Andes virus strain found in parts of South America has previously been associated with human transmission.

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WHO says global risk remains low

As of 6 May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) assessed the global public health risk from the outbreak as low.

However, WHO said the exact mode of transmission linked to the MV Hondius outbreak remains under investigation and human-to-human transmission cannot yet be ruled out.

The agency advised all passengers who travelled on the ship to monitor their health closely and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop.

Symptoms and prevention advice

Symptoms of Andes hantavirus infection can include fever, body aches, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems and breathing difficulties. Severe cases may rapidly progress to shock and death.

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine, with care focused on supportive hospital treatment.

Health authorities advised travellers visiting areas with known hantavirus transmission to avoid contact with rodents and contaminated environments, maintain good hygiene and store food safely.

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