A British tourist is being treated in a South African hospital after testing positive for hantavirus, the national Department of Health has confirmed. The case was identified while the individual was aboard a cruise ship visiting South African waters.
A British tourist is currently receiving medical care in a South African hospital after testing positive for hantavirus. The case was detected while the individual was aboard a cruise ship that had visited South African ports.
The national Department of Health confirmed the diagnosis and stated that the patient is stable and receiving supportive treatment. Contact tracing has been initiated among fellow passengers and crew members who may have had close contact with the tourist.
What is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a group of viruses carried by rodents such as rats and mice. Humans can become infected when they inhale aerosolised particles from the urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents, or through direct contact with contaminated materials. In severe cases, it can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which affects the lungs and can be life-threatening.
Hantavirus – Global Strains Explained
Hantaviruses are a group of rodent-borne viruses belonging to the family Bunyaviridae. They are divided into two main groups based on geography and the disease they cause:
• Old World hantaviruses (Europe, Asia, Africa) → mainly cause Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)
• New World hantaviruses (Americas) → mainly cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which is often more severe.
There are more than 20 known pathogenic hantaviruses that can infect humans. Each is carried by a specific rodent host, and most do not spread easily from person to person (except for a few strains in South America).
Major Hantavirus Strains Worldwide
| Serotype / Virus | Main Geographic Region | Primary Host (Rodent) | Disease Caused | Severity / Fatality Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hantaan virus (HTNV) | East Asia (China, Korea) | Striped field mouse | HFRS | Up to 15% | Most severe Old World strain |
| Seoul virus (SEOV) | Worldwide (urban rats) | Norway rat | HFRS (milder) | 1–2% | Can be found in port cities globally |
| Puumala virus (PUUV) | Europe (especially Scandinavia) | Bank vole | HFRS (mild) | <1% | Most common in Europe |
| Dobrava-Belgrade (DOBV) | Balkans & Eastern Europe | Yellow-necked mouse | HFRS | Up to 12% | Severe in some areas |
| Sin Nombre virus (SNV) | North America (USA, Canada) | Deer mouse | HPS | Up to 40% | Most common in the US |
| Andes virus (ANDV) | South America (Chile, Argentina) | Oligoryzomys longicaudatus | HPS | Up to 40% | Only known strain with person-to-person transmission |
| Laguna Negra | South America (Paraguay, Brazil) | Calomys laucha | HPS | High | Significant outbreaks |
In Africa, the most commonly reported strains are related to Seoul virus or other Old World types carried by rats. Person-to-person transmission is extremely rare outside of the Andes virus in South America.
How the Case Was Detected
The infection was identified during routine health screening or testing on board the cruise ship. Health officials have emphasised that this appears to be an isolated imported case and that there is no evidence of ongoing transmission on the ship or in South Africa.
Cruise ship operators have been advised to enhance rodent control measures and hygiene protocols as a precautionary step.
Public Health Response
The Department of Health and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) are monitoring the situation closely. Officials have reassured the public that hantavirus is not transmitted through casual contact, food or water in the same way as many other viruses. The risk to the general public remains very low.
This is the first confirmed hantavirus case reported in South Africa in several years, making it an extremely rare occurrence.
Travel and Safety Advice
Travellers are reminded to practise good hygiene, avoid contact with rodents or their droppings, and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, fatigue or difficulty breathing after visiting areas where rodents are present.
The Department of Health continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
