The Indonesian Ministry of Health has confirmed that two recent suspected cases of Hantavirus in Jakarta and Yogyakarta have tested negative and the patients have fully recovered.
Public attention has shifted toward the Hantavirus following an outbreak detected on the MV Hondius cruise ship. The vessel, which departed from Argentina, has seen a surge in infections leading to at least three fatalities. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that the government is actively preparing to anticipate the spread of the Andes variant of the Hantavirus, which currently appears to be concentrated among those associated with the cruise ship.
Minister Sadikin further explained that Indonesia already has established screening protocols for the Hantavirus. These include the use of rapid tests, similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as specific reagents compatible with existing PCR machines. Epidemiologist Masdalina Pane noted that Hantavirus is not a new phenomenon in Indonesia. Over the last three years, more than 250 suspected cases have been monitored, though only 23 were eventually confirmed as positive.
Tracking the MV Hondius Passengers
Health authorities worldwide are racing to contain the spread of the virus following the outbreak on the MV Hondius. According to reports from CNA, international efforts are focused on contact tracing passengers who disembarked before the virus was officially detected, as well as identifying anyone who had close contact with them afterward.
The ship’s operator confirmed that all passengers who disembarked at St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean on April 24 have been contacted. The passenger list included individuals from at least 12 different countries, including seven British citizens and six from the United States.
In a recent development, Singaporean health authorities confirmed two suspected cases involving citizens who were aboard the MV Hondius since its departure from the Port of Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1.
Both individuals are currently in isolation at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) while awaiting laboratory results to determine if they have been infected. Previously, on Thursday (05/07), the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that five out of eight suspected cases related to the ship have been laboratory-confirmed.
The three recorded deaths include a 69-year-old Dutch woman, her Dutch husband, and a German woman. The MV Hondius began its journey on April 1 from Ushuaia and was scheduled to arrive in the Canary Islands, Spain, on May 10. Approximately 150 passengers and crew members from 28 different nations were initially on board.
Hantavirus Status in Indonesia
Aji Muhawarman, Head of the Bureau of Communication and Public Services at the Ministry of Health, addressed the recent concerns regarding suspected cases in Jakarta and Yogyakarta. In a statement to BBC News Indonesia on Friday (05/08), he confirmed that both patients tested negative, have recovered, and notably had no recent history of international travel.
Data provided by the Ministry shows that between 2024 and 2026, Indonesia recorded 23 confirmed Hantavirus cases, resulting in three deaths. These cases were distributed across nine provinces: Jakarta (6 cases), Yogyakarta (6 cases), West Java (5 cases), and one case each in West Kalimantan, West Sumatra, Banten, North Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and East Java.
Understanding the Risks: How Dangerous is Hantavirus?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Hantavirus is a zoonotic virus that naturally infects rodents and is occasionally transmitted to humans. However, epidemiologist Masdalina Pane clarified that of the hundreds of Hantavirus strains found in rodents, not all are dangerous to humans.
The most virulent strains are currently found in North, Central, and South America, including the recent cases linked to Argentina. One of the most lethal is the Andes variant, which boasts a high mortality rate ranging from 12% to 60%, depending on the patient’s age, the speed of medical intervention, and the severity of the infection.
“Younger individuals tend to be more resilient, while the elderly face a much higher risk of mortality if infected,” Masdalina Pane told BBC News Indonesia. She emphasized that the Andes variant is particularly concerning because it can spread via human-to-human contact. Other variants are generally considered strictly zoonotic, meaning they only jump from animals to humans.
The strains found in Indonesia, Asia, and Europe are typically less fatal than those in the Americas. However, they can still lead to serious health complications. In Indonesia, the case fatality rate stands between 10% and 15%. While the more aggressive American strains target the heart, blood vessels, and lungs, the Asian and European variants more commonly cause hemorrhagic fever with renal (kidney) syndrome.
Can the Andes Variant Enter Indonesia?
Whether the Andes variant can trigger an outbreak in Indonesia depends on several factors. Typically, Hantaviruses require a specific rodent reservoir to survive and thrive. The rodent species found in Indonesia differ from those in North America or Argentina, which acts as a natural barrier for many strains.
However, because the Andes variant can spread between humans, a rodent intermediary is not strictly necessary for transmission. This increases the risk of the virus entering the country through global human mobility.
Despite this, experts reassure that the Andes variant does not spread as easily as COVID-19. While COVID-19 is airborne through respiratory droplets, the Andes variant generally requires direct and significant contact—such as kissing, sexual contact, or breastfeeding—to transmit. The incubation period is also relatively long, ranging from 9 to 40 days, with symptoms typically appearing after 18 to 21 days.
Preventative Measures for the Public
Preventing Hantavirus requires a combination of government vigilance and public cooperation. The most effective strategy is reducing contact with rodents, the primary carriers of the virus. Households should be kept clean to ensure they do not become breeding grounds for rats.
“Hantavirus can be transmitted through rodent saliva, urine, or droppings that contaminate the environment,” Masdalina Pane warned. Food scraps should be cleared immediately, and any area suspected of rodent activity should be thoroughly disinfected.
The warning also extends to other rodents, including pets like hamsters, which should be kept in good health. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to maintain a strong immune system. When interacting with people who have recently returned from Hantavirus-affected regions, it is advisable to maintain distance and limit physical contact as a precautionary measure, even if they show no symptoms.
The Government’s Response and Readiness
Epidemiologists suggest that the government must strengthen its surveillance systems. Anyone exhibiting symptoms consistent with Hantavirus, particularly those with a history of travel to endemic areas, should undergo immediate laboratory testing.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin confirmed that he has been in coordination with the WHO regarding the MV Hondius outbreak. “We have requested guidance for screening, but the feedback we received indicates the virus is still concentrated on that ship and has not spread elsewhere,” the Minister stated.
Indonesia is leveraging its post-pandemic infrastructure to stay prepared. With PCR machines now widely available across the country, the Minister is optimistic that detecting the virus will be significantly easier. The government is currently evaluating the deployment of rapid tests and PCR reagents to ensure rapid response capabilities should the virus be detected on Indonesian soil.
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- Hantavirus likely spread between passengers on cruise ship, says WHO
- UN warns of rising frequency of zoonotic diseases jumping from animals to humans
- Anthrax outbreak in Gunung Kidul: Residents urged not to slaughter sick livestock
Summary
The Indonesian Ministry of Health has confirmed that recent suspected Hantavirus cases in Jakarta and Yogyakarta were negative, noting that the country maintains established surveillance and testing protocols. While global concern has risen due to an outbreak of the human-transmissible Andes variant on the MV Hondius cruise ship, authorities emphasize that this strain does not spread as easily as respiratory viruses like COVID-19. Indonesia has reported 23 confirmed cases between 2024 and 2026, though these were caused by local variants that differ significantly from the more virulent American strains.
To mitigate risks, experts advise the public to maintain household cleanliness to prevent rodent infestations, as rodents remain the primary natural reservoir for the virus. The government continues to coordinate with the World Health Organization to monitor the situation, leveraging existing PCR infrastructure and rapid testing capabilities to ensure a swift response. Although the Andes variant poses a unique threat due to its potential for human-to-human transmission, officials reassure the public that current surveillance is sufficient to manage and contain potential exposures.