Barbados is not at risk of a hantavirus outbreak.

This assurance has come from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. The Most Honourable Kenneth George, who said the Ministry of Health and Wellness continues to monitor the situation on board the Dutch vessel, MV Hondious, currently located in the central Atlantic with eight cases of hantavirus and reportedly three deaths.

Hantavirus is an infectious disease which is transmitted by being in close contact with the urine, faeces or saliva of infected rodents such as mice and rats. Dr. George explained that while Barbados gets one or two reported hantavirus cases annually, they are managed successfully.

“Human-to-human spread can occur, but it is unusual. Hantavirus does not have pandemic potential and there is no cause for concern for Barbadians. It is, however, appropriate to remind persons of measures they can use to eliminate rodents in their homes and communities.

“These include securing all refuse and garbage, avoiding sweeping dry rodent droppings as the dust may carry infectious particles, and using rat bait for control,” the Chief Medical Officer advised.

The disease is spread by the aerosolisation (where particles are small enough to be carried in the air or a gas stream) of rat urine and excrement. In a susceptible host this can cause respiratory illness, presenting with cough, shortness of breath and hypoxia (low levels of oxygen in body tissues).

Additionally, in a few cases haemorrhagic symptoms have been described, stated the Chief Medical Officer.

The World Health Organization currently assesses the risk to the global population from the event onboard the cruise ship as low, saying it will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation and give updates on the risk assessment.

Ministry of Health and Wellness