Africa CDC urges member states to strengthen disease surveillance after hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship
via GhanaWeb2 min read
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Africa CDC has advised African Union Member States, including Ghana, to enhance disease surveillance and port health systems. This follows a rare hantavirus cluster linked to an international cruise ship outbreak. On May 5, 2026, Africa CDC stated that while the outbreak appears confined to the cruise ship, vigilance is crucial. Member States are urged to strengthen port health services, reinforce infection prevention and control measures, and ensure timely reporting of suspected cases. Travelers are advised to practice good hygiene, avoid contact with rodents or contaminated environments, and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms like fever, fatigue, muscle aches, or respiratory difficulties after travel. This advisory comes after confirmed hantavirus cases among passengers of the MV Hondius, which sailed from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the Canary Islands via Cabo Verde between March and April 2026. Health authorities detected the situation on May 2, 2026, after passengers developed severe respiratory illness. The vessel carried 147 people. Symptoms began between April 6 and April 20, 2026, progressing from fever and gastrointestinal illness to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and shock. The index case died on April 11, 2026, on board. Authorities in Cabo Verde, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, and the United Kingdom have launched a coordinated response. South Africa has confirmed two hantavirus
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