TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Directorate General of Customs and Excise, under the Ministry of Finance, is tightening coordination with the Health Quarantine and the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) to preempt the potential spread of the Hantavirus. This collaboration focuses on detecting any traces of rodent-borne viruses within imported goods entering Indonesian territory.
Nirwala Dwi Heryanto, Director of Communication and User Guidance for Customs and Excise, confirmed that inter-agency efforts are already underway. "I have coordinated with colleagues from Health Quarantine and Barantin," Nirwala stated when reached for comment on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
This vigilance follows a World Health Organization (WHO) report confirming three fatalities aboard a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean after exposure to the virus. The WHO noted that the outbreak has sparked significant concern regarding rare and potentially severe infections occurring at sea.
Hantavirus is typically transmitted to humans through contact with rodent pests. The current outbreak was identified on the MV Hondius as it sailed from Ushuaia, Argentina, toward Cape Verde. To date, one case of hantavirus infection has been laboratory-confirmed, with five additional suspected cases, as reported by the WHO cited by France24.
According to the WHO, six individuals were affected by the virus. Beyond the three deceased, one person remains under intensive care in South Africa.
The first passenger to exhibit symptoms was a 70-year-old Dutch national who succumbed to the illness while on board; his remains are currently on Saint Helena Island, a British territory in the South Atlantic.
His 69-year-old wife also fell ill during the voyage. Although officials evacuated her to South Africa, the Dutch woman later passed away at a hospital in Johannesburg. Meanwhile, the third fatal case involved a 69-year-old British national who had also been evacuated to Johannesburg for emergency treatment.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated via social media that the agency is working closely with the ship’s operator and the affected member states. "WHO is facilitating medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers, conducting a full risk assessment, and supporting affected people onboard," Tedros said.
He emphasized that swift, coordinated action remains essential to minimize further risks and safeguard public health.
Sita Planasari contributed to this report
Read: Spain Permits MV Hondius to Dock Amid Hantavirus Outbreak
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