Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos State Government, through the Office of the Commissioner for Health, has issued a public health advisory following international reports of Hantavirus infections linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship currently stranded off the coast of Cape Verde. The advisory, released on Sunday, May 10, 2026 on his X account, aims to inform residents about the virus, its symptoms, prevention measures, and the current level of risk to the Nigerian public. The Commissioner for Health noted that the World Health Organization continues to assess the overall public health risk as low, but urged citizens to remain informed and vigilant.
The outbreak on the MV Hondius has drawn global attention after the vessel was denied permission to dock at Cape Verde due to health concerns. The ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, had been on an Antarctic cruise carrying approximately 150 passengers and crew from 23 different countries. According to the WHO, multiple confirmed cases of the Andes strain of hantavirus have been reported, including several fatalities. International health authorities are currently conducting surveillance and contact tracing efforts, particularly focusing on a flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg taken by one of the sickened passengers.
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried primarily by rodents, the Commissioner explained. Humans usually become infected through exposure to infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces contaminated by rodents. The Andes strain implicated in the current outbreak is unusual because limited human‑to‑human transmission has been documented under close contact conditions, such as within households or healthcare settings. Most hantavirus strains spread only through rodent contact; the Andes strain’s ability to spread between humans has made it a subject of intense scientific study.
Symptoms of Hantavirus infection can resemble a flu‑like illness and may include fever, severe headache, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness. In more severe cases, the Commissioner warned, symptoms may progress rapidly to a persistent cough, shortness of breath, pneumonia, and severe respiratory distress. The disease can escalate quickly, and early recognition and prompt medical attention significantly improve outcomes. There is currently no specific antiviral cure for hantavirus infection. Treatment is mainly supportive, and severe cases may require oxygen therapy, intensive care support, mechanical ventilation, and fluid and electrolyte management.
The Commissioner outlined several preventive measures that residents can take to reduce their risk of exposure. These include keeping homes and food storage areas clean and rodent‑free, sealing holes and openings where rodents may enter, avoiding direct contact with rodent droppings or nests, using gloves and disinfectants when cleaning rodent‑contaminated areas, and avoiding sweeping dry rodent waste, which may aerosolize infectious particles. Maintaining good hand hygiene and seeking medical evaluation early if symptoms develop after travel to affected regions are also critical.
The Commissioner emphasized that this outbreak is a reminder that epidemic preparedness requires continuous investment in surveillance systems, laboratory readiness, infection prevention, and One Health approaches that recognise the close relationship between human, animal and environmental health. The Lagos State Government has activated its public health surveillance mechanisms to monitor any potential importation of cases, though no suspected cases have been reported in Nigeria at this time.
Public health experts have noted that the risk of Hantavirus spreading widely in Nigeria remains extremely low given that the primary mode of transmission is through rodent contact, and the Andes strain is not endemic to West Africa. However, the Lagos State Ministry of Health has advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for patients presenting with severe respiratory illness who have recently traveled to the affected regions. The Ministry has also urged the public to rely on verified information from recognised health authorities and to avoid spreading misinformation or panic.
The MV Hondius remains off the coast of Cape Verde as international health authorities coordinate the evacuation of critically ill patients and the repatriation of deceased passengers. The WHO has released funds from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support the response. The cruise line has not yet announced when the vessel will be cleared to dock or when remaining passengers will be allowed to disembark.
The Lagos State Government has assured residents that it is closely monitoring the situation through the State Epidemiologist and the Disease Surveillance and Notification Unit. Citizens are encouraged to report any unusual clusters of severe respiratory illness to the nearest health facility or through the state’s emergency hotlines.
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