Hong Kong urged to step up rodent checks despite no local residents on hantavirus-hit cruise ship

An infectious disease specialist has called on Hong Kong authorities to step up rodent checks, despite confirmation that no residents from the city were on board the hantavirus-hit cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

A microscope image of Hantavirus. Photo: Cynthia Goldsmith, USCDCP.

Speaking on an RTHK programme on Friday, physician and infectious disease specialist Dr Joseph Tsang said the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) should conduct regular monitoring of rats.

“The AFCD should conduct regular monitoring to test whether rats in the environment carry viruses,” he said.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) previously issued a statement on Thursday, saying there were no Hong Kong residents on the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship, which carried 147 passengers and crew members.

The CHP also said that, as of Wednesday, no infections had been reported in Hong Kong.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of Thursday, there were eight reported cases linked to the MV Hondius, including three deaths. Five of the eight cases have been confirmed as hantavirus.

‘Cannot let our guard down’

Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the faeces, saliva or urine of infected rodents, or by inhaling aerosolised particles of their waste, according to the CHP. Human-to-human transmission is relatively rare, and there is currently no vaccine to prevent infection.

A resident takes her rubbish to a refuse collection point, on May 31, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

The risk to global health posed by the cruise ship incident is low, the CHP added, citing the WHO.

Tsang said that, despite the low risk, he still urged cleaners to be aware of the dangers.

“I wouldn’t say the risk of infection in Hong Kong is especially high, but we cannot let our guard down,” the physician said.

“Hantavirus is usually concentrated in places with more rats, such as refuse collection points, rear stairwells, or the back alleys of restaurants. Sanitation workers should take particular care.”