The Department of Health (DOH) has clarified that human-to-human transmission of hantavirus is a rare occurrence. In a radio interview, Health Undersecretary Albert Domingo emphasized that while hantavirus can be transmitted from one person to another, such cases are uncommon.
"The main mode of transmission is from the urine, feces, and saliva of rats to humans. Human-to-human transmission is actually rare," Domingo stated. He distinguished hantavirus from other infectious diseases like coronavirus disease (COVID-19). "It is not airborne like COVID-19. It requires prolonged close contact between humans," he added.
DOH: Hantavirus threat not a cause for concern
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hantavirus is a virus carried by rodents that can cause severe disease in humans. The virus is usually transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings, or saliva.
This clarification comes in the wake of a suspected hantavirus outbreak on the luxury cruise ship M/V Hondius, where three passengers have died and several others fell ill. The ship carried nearly 150 people, including about 38 crew members from the Philippines.
Despite the outbreak, Domingo said there is no need to impose travel restrictions similar to those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that the WHO has not recommended any travel restrictions due to hantavirus. "The WHO has no recommendations for travel restrictions. There is none. There is no need for travel restrictions," Domingo said.
"Nevertheless, the Bureau of Quarantine is always ready all the same," he added. The health official explained that the outbreak appears to be isolated to the ship. "Their cases are very isolated. On the ship. As long as the passengers and crew members have not been disembarked, we can say the outbreak is contained on that ship," Domingo concluded.
