Health experts have raised fresh concern over a recent hantavirus outbreak linked to an international cruise ship, prompting renewed warnings for Nigerians on the dangers of rodent exposure and unsafe handling of bushmeat amid fears of rodent-borne diseases.
As reported by Peoples Gazette, the outbreak occurred aboard the MV Hondius, which travelled from Argentina to Cape Verde and carried 88 passengers and 61 crew members of 23 nationalities.
The vessel reportedly made stops at South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha and St Helena before the incident came to light.
Authorities said the ship was prevented from disembarking in Cape Verde after reports of an infectious disease outbreak onboard.
The World Health Organisation disclosed that passengers developed symptoms such as fever, gastrointestinal complications, pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
The agency later confirmed eight cases—six confirmed and two probable with three deaths recorded, while several patients were receiving treatment in South Africa, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
A passenger, travel content creator James Rosmarin, described the experience as frightening, saying those onboard were anxious about their safety and eventual return home.
“We are people with families waiting for us. All we want is safety and clarity,” he said in a viral video shared on social media.
Nigeria, Africa on alert amid Lassa fever burden
While no case has been reported in Africa, health agencies across the continent say they are closely monitoring developments due to similarities between hantavirus and Lassa fever, a rodent-linked disease that remains endemic in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported 146 Lassa fever deaths between January and mid-March 2026, underscoring continued concerns over rodent-related infections.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, however, said there is currently no evidence of hantavirus transmission within Africa, stressing that the risk to the general population remains low.
It noted that the outbreak appears confined to the cruise ship, although it called for increased vigilance and further investigation.
Similarly, the NCDC Director-General, Jide Idris, said Nigeria had not recorded any case of hantavirus, adding that surveillance systems had been strengthened nationwide.
He assured that ongoing investigations and contact tracing abroad showed no indication of spread to African countries.
Experts warn against rodent exposure, poor hygiene practices
Public health and veterinary experts have cautioned Nigerians to avoid behaviours that increase contact with rodents, stressing that hantavirus is mainly transmitted when humans inhale particles contaminated by rodent urine, faeces or saliva.
A veterinary medicine lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Ezekiel Adebowale, explained that the virus is associated with rodents such as rats and mice, and can spread when contaminated dust particles are inhaled during cleaning or disturbance of rodent-infested areas.
He advised households to maintain clean environments, properly dispose waste, and ensure food is securely stored to reduce rodent attraction.
“The likelihood of infection in Nigeria remains low at the moment, but rodent control is essential because it also helps prevent diseases like Lassa fever,” he said.
A public health specialist, Tayo Fasuan, noted that Nigeria’s growing adoption of a “one-health” strategy—linking human, animal and environmental health—has strengthened preparedness against zoonotic diseases.
He warned that poor waste management, especially in densely populated urban areas, increases the chances of rodent-human contact.
Another researcher, Lateef Adebisi, said global travel makes disease spread more difficult to contain, even if outbreaks begin in distant regions.
He added that improper handling of rodents and consumption of wild animals could increase exposure to zoonotic infections.
“When people come into contact with infected rodent fluids or live in close proximity to infestations, the risk increases significantly,” he said.
Adebisi urged authorities to strengthen laboratory capacity, surveillance systems and public awareness campaigns to prevent future outbreaks.
He also called for improved environmental sanitation and coordinated health monitoring across human, animal and environmental sectors to curb potential spillover of diseases.
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