Thailand approves study on listing hantavirus as dangerous disease
Bangkok – Thailand’s National Communicable Disease Committee has approved a formal study to classify hantavirus infection as a “dangerous communicable disease” under the Communicable Diseases Act, citing the virus’s…
Thailand’s National Communicable Disease Committee on Friday approved a formal study to classify hantavirus as a dangerous communicable disease under the Communicable Diseases Act, a move officials said would strengthen response tools in Phuket and nationwide if imported cases appear. The committee cited the virus’s severity, a 30-40% fatality rate in severe cases and its potential connection to international travel, while stressing the overall public risk remains low and warning against online fearmongering.
Cruise ship cluster prompted Thailand's review
The decision followed a rare hantavirus cluster aboard the Dutch expedition cruise ship MV Hondius in the South Atlantic. Thai authorities said no Thai nationals were on board and there are no domestic cases.
The vessel left Ushuaia, Argentina, in early April 2026 with 147 passengers and crew from several countries. As of early May, the World Health Organization had reported two laboratory-confirmed cases, five suspected cases and three deaths.
Some affected passengers and crew from several European countries were evacuated for treatment in the Netherlands and South Africa. The ship remains under isolation protocols while sailing toward Spain’s Canary Islands.
Surveillance steps and virus risks
Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said the Department of Disease Control will work with experts on the designation study. The committee will also appoint an eight-member academic subcommittee to advise on declaring or lifting disease-infected zones or epidemic areas if needed.
Officials said surveillance has been tightened at international entry points as a precaution. WHO has described the incident as a limited outbreak, not a pandemic, but said more cases could emerge because incubation can last up to six weeks.
Hantaviruses are rodent-borne viruses that usually infect humans through inhalation of contaminated urine, droppings or saliva, and most strains do not spread person to person. The Andes virus linked to the cruise ship cluster is the only known hantavirus with documented human-to-human transmission.
Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/05/08/thailands-communicable-disease-committee-approves-study-to-designate-hantavirus-as-dangerous-communicable-disease-says-public-should-not-panic-overall-risk-low/
