Staff Reporter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
THE Executive Director of the Ministry of Health, Penda Ithindi, has confirmed that Namibia has not recorded any Hantavirus cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Ministry wishes to reassure the public that, while we have not reported any cases of Hantavirus in Namibia, we are closely monitoring the global and regional situation and are taking all necessary precautions. We are committed to providing transparent and reliable information, and we urge everyone to rely on credible sources and avoid the spread of misinformation or disinformation. The Ministry appeals to the public to remain calm and not to panic. We urge everyone to refrain from spreading unverified information or engaging in speculation that could cause undue alarm,\u201d Ithindi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He explained that Hantaviruses are rodent-borne viruses capable of causing severe illness and, in some cases, death in humans, with each strain generally linked to a specific rodent species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The statement comes after recent reports of a Hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship travelling across the South Atlantic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA cluster of severe respiratory illness cases was identified on a cruise ship which had travelled from Argentina to Cabo Verde. As of 6 May 2026, a total of eight cases had been reported, including three fatalities. Five of these cases have been confirmed as Hantavirus, with the remaining three being suspected. The species of Hantavirus involved in this outbreak is the Andes virus, primarily found in Latin America. It is the only known Hantavirus species capable of limited human-to-human transmission. The first case developed symptoms on 6 April 2026 and died on the ship on 11 April 2026. The second fatality was his wife, who disembarked on Saint Helena and tragically deteriorated during a flight to Johannesburg on 25 April 2026, passing away the following day. Samples taken in South Africa confirmed Hantavirus. The third death occurred on the ship. Another patient remains in intensive care in South Africa after being evacuated from Ascension Island. Other cases were evacuated to the Netherlands,\u201d Ithindi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite these developments, Ithindi noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) currently considers the overall public health risk linked to the incident to be low. He said this assessment is based on the limited and specific nature of human-to-human transmission associated with the Andes virus, which generally requires prolonged close contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He explained that symptoms of Hantavirus usually appear between one and eight weeks after exposure. Ithindi added that early symptoms are often non-specific and can include headaches, muscle aches and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He warned that, if the disease progresses, it can result in serious conditions such as Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS), commonly seen in the Americas, which can rapidly lead to coughing, breathing difficulties, fluid build-up in the lungs and shock. HCPS has a fatality rate of up to 50%. The disease may also develop into Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), more common in Europe and Asia, which can cause low blood pressure, bleeding disorders and kidney failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you experience any of these symptoms, particularly after potential exposure to rodents or if you have recently travelled to affected regions, please seek medical attention immediately at your nearest healthcare facility. Early diagnosis and supportive medical care are crucial for improving outcomes,\u201d Ithindi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He explained that infection most commonly occurs through exposure to infected rodents or their urine, droppings or saliva. This may happen through inhaling contaminated particles when dried rodent waste is disturbed or through direct contact with infected rodents. In rare cases, infection can occur through rodent bites. He added that the Andes virus is unique in its ability to spread between humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is crucial to note that human-to-human transmission has been documented only for the Andes virus (the strain in the current outbreak) and is considered limited. This type of transmission typically occurs through close and prolonged contact, such as among household members, intimate partners or healthcare providers, especially during the early phase of illness when the viral load may be higher. It is not common for other Hantavirus types,\u201d Ithindi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stressed that prevention depends largely on minimising contact between people and rodents. Ithindi encouraged the public to keep homes rodent-free and store food in rodent-proof containers to avoid attracting rodents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also advised against dry sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings or nesting materials, as this may aerosolise the virus. Instead, contaminated areas should first be dampened thoroughly with a disinfectant solution, such as diluted bleach, before cleaning. Ithindi further encouraged the use of gloves and masks during cleaning and urged the public to wash their hands regularly, especially after being in areas where rodents may be present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Ministry of Health and Social Services wishes to assure the Namibian public that we have robust surveillance mechanisms. We are actively coordinating with various local and international partners through a multi-sectoral approach to monitor global health threats, including Hantavirus. Our public health system is equipped to detect, investigate and respond to potential public health emergencies, including outbreaks. Our healthcare professionals are being kept abreast of developments and relevant guidelines,\u201d Ithindi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Contributed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Staff Reporter THE Executive Director of the Ministry of Health, Penda Ithindi, has confirmed that Namibia has not recorded any Hantavirus cases. \u201cThe Ministry wishes to reassure the public that, while we have not reported any cases of Hantavirus in Namibia, we are closely monitoring the global and regional situation and are taking all necessary …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":394251,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-394243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n