Public Health Risk to Cayman Remains Low Following Intl. Hantavirus Outbreak

The Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability (MHES) and the Public Health Department (PHD) are closely monitoring the international response to a reported hantavirus outbreak linked to the Dutch cruise vessel MV Hondius, which departed Argentina on 1 April carrying 149 passengers and crew from 23 nationalities.

International epidemiological investigations are underway onboard the vessel, and individuals who have disembarked from the ship are undergoing contact tracing and monitoring by international public health authorities.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hilary Wolf said the overall public health risk to the Cayman Islands remains low and there are currently no confirmed cases locally associated with the incident. “At this time, we have not been alerted to any passengers from the vessel, or individuals identified as close contacts of known cases, being residents of the Cayman Islands,” Dr. Wolf said. “We continue to monitor information provided through the World Health Organization and international health partners while maintaining heightened vessel surveillance and established public health monitoring protocols.”

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried primarily by rodents and are most commonly transmitted through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva, or contaminated environments. Public health officials noted that the current working hypothesis is that exposure to Andes virus (ANDV), a hantavirus strain endemic in parts of South America, may have occurred before passengers boarded the vessel in Argentina.

“While certain strains, such as Andes virus, have been associated with limited person-to-person transmission, this has only been evidenced through prolonged close contact, unlike the routine spread patterns seen with more common respiratory illnesses,” Dr. Williams, Medical Officer of Health.

MHES confirmed that enhanced surveillance and prevention measures are currently being implemented locally. Rodent control activities have been increased at shipping ports of entry, and the use of rat guards remains mandatory for all vessels docking alongside ports and shore facilities.

As part of established maritime health protocols, all cruise vessels are required to submit Maritime Declarations of Health 48 hours prior to arrival in the Cayman Islands. These declarations are reviewed by port surveillance and border control officials, with additional follow-up and onboard inspections conducted where necessary, including reviews of medical logs and illness reporting records. Public health and port health officials are also maintaining heightened monitoring of illness reports as well as requests for medical disembarkation.

“The Cayman Islands has established a strong reputation within the cruise industry for proactive infection control and maritime public health oversight,” said Director of the Department of Environmental Health Richard Simms. “We have increased rodent control measures, enhanced monitoring protocols and continue to maintain strict maritime public health safeguards at ports of entry.”

The Cayman Islands also receives regional surveillance information coordinated through the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), including alerts generated through the Tourism and Health Information System (THiS) and the Caribbean Vessel Surveillance System (CVSS), which support monitoring and information-sharing related to public health threats associated with maritime travel and tourism activity.

MHES is also advising persons travelling to countries where hantavirus is endemic to avoid exposure to rodents, rodent droppings and potentially contaminated environments, particularly in rural settings. International health authorities have not advised any changes to routine travel or cruise operations related to this incident at this time.

MHES will continue to monitor developments and provide updates should public health guidance change.