Manila: The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reassured the public that there are no recorded cases of Hantavirus in the Philippines and confirmed that 38 Filipino crew members aboard a quarantined cruise ship near Africa remain healthy.

According to Philippines News Agency, DOH Undersecretary Albert Domingo clarified the situation following reports of a cruise ship currently docked in Cabo Verde, in the Atlantic Ocean, which has been placed under quarantine due to the virus. Domingo stated that the World Health Organization and the International Health Regulations have reported no illnesses and the department is in close coordination with relevant authorities.

He emphasized that the risk to the general public in the Philippines remains extremely low. Domingo explained that Hantavirus is a rare disease contracted through close contact with the droppings or urine of rodents infected with the virus, and there are currently no recorded cases in the country. Historical reports dating back to 1992 are being reviewed, with no recent confirmations of the virus on local shores.

Symptoms of Hantavirus often mimic other diseases such as leptospirosis and dengue, including fever and body aches. The Bureau of Quarantine has been placed on high alert under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to monitor the situation of the 38 Filipinos aboard the vessel. The responsibility for repatriation lies with the cruise ship operator, but the government is actively monitoring their status.

Domingo noted that the vessel is currently stationary and adhering to international quarantine protocols. He urged the public not to be alarmed, highlighting that the greater concern lies in the high prevalence of tuberculosis and the rapid transmission rate of human immunodeficiency virus.