Kenya has heightened disease surveillance at airports and seaports following an international alert over a deadly outbreak of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) linked to a cruise ship travelling in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Ministry of Health confirmed Friday that enhanced screening and monitoring measures have been activated at all key entry points even as officials insist no case has been reported in the country.
Director General for Health Patrick Amoth said the government was acting out of caution after the World Health Organization reported confirmed infections aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship.
According to WHO data released on May 7, at least eight confirmed cases and three deaths had been recorded among passengers and crew, triggering heightened international vigilance over the rare but potentially fatal virus.
“Kenya currently has no reported cases, and the risk to the public remains low,” Dr. Amoth said. “However, we are strengthening surveillance systems, alerting health facilities and ensuring rapid response and testing mechanisms are fully prepared.”
The Health Ministry said screening teams at airports and seaports have been placed on high alert to identify travellers showing symptoms associated with hantavirus infections, particularly those arriving from affected regions.
Hantavirus is a rodent-borne disease transmitted mainly through exposure to infected rats and mice or their droppings, urine and saliva. Humans can contract the virus by inhaling contaminated dust particles, touching infected surfaces or handling rodents and their waste.
In rare instances, certain strains such as the Andes virus in South America can spread from person to person through close contact.
Medical experts warn that hantavirus can trigger two severe illnesses — Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which attacks the lungs, and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which affects the kidneys.
The disease often begins with flu-like symptoms including fever, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting before escalating into breathing difficulties and severe respiratory distress.
Health authorities say symptoms may appear between one and eight weeks after exposure.
Although hantavirus infections are relatively uncommon in Africa, public health experts warn that increased international travel and global mobility raise the risk of imported infectious diseases.
Kenya’s decision to tighten surveillance comes months after regional alerts over outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic diseases such as Marburg and Ebola in parts of East Africa.
The government fears delayed detection at points of entry could expose the country to another costly public health emergency.
Public health specialists note that hantavirus carries a high fatality rate once severe respiratory complications develop, making early detection and isolation critical.
The Ministry of Health has urged Kenyans to maintain clean surroundings, safely store food and eliminate rodents from homes and workplaces.
Members of the public have also been cautioned against direct contact with rodents or rodent waste and advised to seek immediate medical attention if they develop fever or breathing problems after recent travel.
Travellers returning from affected areas have been asked to monitor their health for up to eight weeks and promptly report any symptoms to the nearest health facility.
Dr. Amoth further appealed to the public to avoid spreading misinformation online and instead rely on updates from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.
The latest alert underscores growing global concern over emerging infectious diseases and the increasing pressure on countries to strengthen border health security in an era of rapid international travel.
