The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has assured the public that it has intensified surveillance and preparedness measures following reports of Hantavirus infections on a cruise ship currently docked in Cape Verde. In a press statement issued on May 8, 2026, the Ministry of Health and the GHS confirmed that, as of May 7, the outbreak on the vessel involved eight suspected cases, five confirmed infections, and three deaths. The ship is reported to have carried crew members mainly from the Philippines, along with passengers from the United States, Europe, South America, Australia, and parts of Asia.
Health authorities noted that both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), after conducting risk assessments, have indicated that the overall global public health risk remains low. Nonetheless, countries have been advised to strengthen surveillance and preparedness systems.
The GHS explained that Hantavirus is a viral disease primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their droppings, urine, saliva, or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and, in severe cases, respiratory difficulties.
It stressed that no case of Hantavirus has been recorded in Ghana. Nonetheless, precautionary measures have been activated through the Service’s Port Health Division and other public health structures to reduce any risk of importation.
As part of the response, enhanced surveillance has been deployed at all ports of entry, including airports and seaports, while health facilities nationwide have been directed to intensify monitoring and reporting of unusual respiratory illnesses. The Service also says it is strengthening laboratory systems and rapid response capacity, while stepping up public education on sanitation and rodent control.
The GHS is also collaborating with international partners, including the World Health Organization and global disease surveillance networks, to ensure timely sharing of information.
Members of the public have been advised to maintain proper hygiene, keep their surroundings clean, store food safely, dispose of waste properly, and avoid contact with rodents and their droppings. People are also urged to use protective gear when cleaning potentially contaminated areas and to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever or breathing difficulties, especially after travel or possible exposure.
The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service have assured citizens that the country’s disease surveillance systems remain active and capable of responding to any potential threat. They are urging the public to remain calm, avoid misinformation, and rely on official health updates.
Source: Abigail Arthur