TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Centers for Disease Control said Friday that a New Zealand passenger linked to a cruise ship hantavirus outbreak tested negative for the virus, with officials saying there is no risk of community transmission in Taiwan.
The Dutch luxury cruise ship MV Hondius recently experienced an outbreak of the rare Andes strain of hantavirus, which can spread between humans, per CNA. The outbreak has resulted in 11 cases and three deaths, while the movements of passengers from 23 countries have drawn international attention after they disembarked.
CDC Director-General Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) chaired an emergency press conference Friday to explain the latest developments. He said New Zealand authorities notified Taiwan through the International Health Regulations mechanism Wednesday that a New Zealand passenger who had traveled aboard the Hondius in April was staying in Taiwan.
Taiwanese authorities immediately arranged hospitalization, testing, and medical observation, CNA reported. The passenger disembarked on Saint Helena on April 24, with the last possible exposure to other passengers occurring the following day.
The individual has shown no symptoms or other health abnormalities since then. Blood, urine, saliva, and nasopharyngeal samples tested negative Thursday night in Andes hantavirus PCR and IgM and IgG antibody tests, ruling out infection for now.
The CDC said the results indicate the passenger “did not bring the virus to Taiwan,” per CNA. The agency also convened an expert advisory meeting Friday and recommended the passenger remain under “enhanced self-health management” in a single hospital room through June 6, based on the virus’s maximum incubation period of 42 days.
Weekly blood tests will be conducted to monitor for any delayed positive results. If necessary, the passenger may wear an N95 mask and be accompanied by fully protected medical staff for limited outdoor activities, such as walking in open hospital areas.
However, the passenger is prohibited from using public transportation or visiting crowded places, with violations punishable by fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$300,000 (US$1,900 to US$9,500). The CDC also consulted experts from the World Health Organization, who said 95% of infected patients develop symptoms within 25 days of exposure.
Lo said the passenger is currently on day 20 after exposure, making the coming week a critical observation period, though the likelihood of developing symptoms afterward would become very low, CNA reported. He later added that Taiwan contacted the WHO to determine whether other passengers from the cruise ship were in Taiwan, and the organization confirmed that none were.
