South African health authorities have launched urgent contact tracing after two elderly tourists died from suspected hantavirus following a cruise that passed through the country, and a third British patient is now critical in a Sandton private hospital. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the Gauteng Department of Health are leading the response.
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What happened on the cruise ship
The vessel, carrying around 150 passengers, departed from Ushuaia in southern Argentina on a route to the Canary Islands. A 70-year-old man fell ill first with fever, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. He died as the ship reached St Helena. His 69-year-old wife collapsed at OR Tambo International Airport on arrival in South Africa and also died. Laboratory results on the woman are still pending.
Sandton patient critical as public told not to panic
Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale confirmed that a British citizen, who tested positive for hantavirus, is in critical condition and in isolation at a private hospital in Sandton. Mohale stressed that there is no broad public threat in South Africa, since only two patients from the cruise had entered the country. The NICD and provincial health teams are tracing every close contact linked to the affected travellers.
What is hantavirus and how does it spread
Hantaviruses are carried by rodents. People usually contract the infection by inhaling dust contaminated with rodent urine, droppings or saliva. Early symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Severe cases can progress to lung or kidney failure. Person-to-person transmission is rare globally and has only been documented in specific Andes hantavirus outbreaks in South America.
Frequently asked questions
Is hantavirus contagious in South Africa?
Authorities have confirmed there is no general public threat. Only two cases linked to the cruise have been recorded inside South African borders so far.
What should I do if I had close contact with the patients?
The NICD and Gauteng Department of Health are contacting people directly. Anyone who believes they were exposed should watch for fever, headache and breathing difficulty and visit a health facility immediately.
Sources
South African Department of Health statement by spokesperson Foster Mohale. National Institute for Communicable Diseases public guidance on hantavirus. Original Afrikaans report on Nuusflits: Kontakopsporing in SA nadat toeriste aan hantavirus sterf.
