Hantavirus outbreak on Dutch cruise ship causes 3 deaths; domestic experts: no need for excessive panic
A Hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship led to 3 deaths, but domestic experts advise against excessive panic. The infection is primarily transmitted by rodents, and efficient human-to-human transmission is rare. However, caution is needed as the Andes virus strain in South America has shown limited human-to-human transmission.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 18:55
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Zeng Yining, Taipei, 6th) A Hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship caused 3 deaths, and frequent sightings of rats in Taipei City have sparked public concern about the epidemic. Experts point out that most hantaviruses do not transmit efficiently from person to person, mainly through infected rodents, so there is no need for excessive panic.
The Dutch cruise ship "Hondius" recently experienced a hantavirus outbreak resulting in 3 deaths. A report submitted to the Parliament by the South African Ministry of Health today confirmed that hantavirus was detected in two passengers who fell ill on board, and the virus strain was identified as Andes virus.
Recently, the problem of rat infestations in Taipei City has also become a topic of discussion, with frequent reports of rats appearing on the streets, and some netizens even posting online about family members being bitten by rats. The public is concerned whether rats will cause the spread of diseases such as hantavirus. The Taiwan Science Media Center invited Taiwanese experts to provide their perspectives on this issue.
Professor Cheng Po-ching of the Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, stated through the Taiwan Science Media Center that most hantaviruses do not transmit efficiently from person to person. However, the Andes virus strain of hantavirus detected in South America has been confirmed to have limited human-to-human transmission, mainly seen in close contact situations.
However, Cheng Po-ching reminded that the main natural hosts of hantavirus are specific rodents such as rats, and humans are infected by inhaling aerosols formed after the environment is contaminated by the urine, feces, or saliva of infected animals. General livestock, pets, or humans are not the main natural hosts. Hantavirus syndrome cases in Taiwan are mostly related to exposure to rodents, and human-to-human transmission is not the main mode of transmission.
Because hantavirus does not transmit efficiently from person to person like influenza or COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease), Cheng Po-ching said that the risk of causing large-scale international spread is currently assessed to be low. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently assesses that the public health risk of this event to the global population remains low, and there is no need for excessive public panic.
If no rats are found on the ship, Cheng Po-ching analyzed that more likely sources of infection include personnel shore activities in South America, landing to observe wild animals, or personnel exposing or contacting environments contaminated by rodent excreta in poorly ventilated spaces such as ship storage. However, because hantavirus has an incubation period of several days to several weeks, the time and location of infection are often not easy to confirm immediately.
Regarding the focus of epidemic prevention, Cheng Po-ching said that it should still be placed on rodent control, environmental disinfection, avoiding contact with wild rodent excreta, and improving ventilation in confined spaces. As for whether the Andes virus strain with human-to-human transmission risk might spread to Asia or Taiwan, he believes that vigilance is needed but excessive panic is inappropriate. (Editor: Chen Qingfang) 1150506
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(Central News Agency reporter Zeng Yining, Taipei, 6th) A Hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship caused 3 deaths, and frequent sightings of rats in Taipei City have sparked public concern about the epidemic. Experts point out that most hantaviruses do not transmit efficiently from person to person, mainly through infected rodents, so there is no need for excessive panic.
The Dutch cruise ship "Hondius" recently experienced a hantavirus outbreak resulting in 3 deaths. A report submitted to the Parliament by the South African Ministry of Health today confirmed that hantavirus was detected in two passengers who fell ill on board, and the virus strain was identified as Andes virus.
Recently, the problem of rat infestations in Taipei City has also become a topic of discussion, with frequent reports of rats appearing on the streets, and some netizens even posting online about family members being bitten by rats. The public is concerned whether rats will cause the spread of diseases such as hantavirus. The Taiwan Science Media Center invited Taiwanese experts to provide their perspectives on this issue.
Professor Cheng Po-ching of the Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, stated through the Taiwan Science Media Center that most hantaviruses do not transmit efficiently from person to person. However, the Andes virus strain of hantavirus detected in South America has been confirmed to have limited human-to-human transmission, mainly seen in close contact situations.
However, Cheng Po-ching reminded that the main natural hosts of hantavirus are specific rodents such as rats, and humans are infected by inhaling aerosols formed after the environment is contaminated by the urine, feces, or saliva of infected animals. General livestock, pets, or humans are not the main natural hosts. Hantavirus syndrome cases in Taiwan are mostly related to exposure to rodents, and human-to-human transmission is not the main mode of transmission.
Because hantavirus does not transmit efficiently from person to person like influenza or COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease), Cheng Po-ching said that the risk of causing large-scale international spread is currently assessed to be low. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently assesses that the public health risk of this event to the global population remains low, and there is no need for excessive public panic.
If no rats are found on the ship, Cheng Po-ching analyzed that more likely sources of infection include personnel shore activities in South America, landing to observe wild animals, or personnel exposing or contacting environments contaminated by rodent excreta in poorly ventilated spaces such as ship storage. However, because hantavirus has an incubation period of several days to several weeks, the time and location of infection are often not easy to confirm immediately.
Regarding the focus of epidemic prevention, Cheng Po-ching said that it should still be placed on rodent control, environmental disinfection, avoiding contact with wild rodent excreta, and improving ventilation in confined spaces. As for whether the Andes virus strain with human-to-human transmission risk might spread to Asia or Taiwan, he believes that vigilance is needed but excessive panic is inappropriate. (Editor: Chen Qingfang) 1150506
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Reproduction, public broadcasting, public transmission, or use of the text, images, and audio/video on this website is prohibited without authorization.