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Hantavirus risk to VI remains low- Ministry of Health

- said it is monitoring the situation
The Ministry of Health and Social Development has said it is closely monitoring a reported hantavirus cluster linked to a cruise vessel outside of the Caribbean region, and is reassuring the public that the current risk to the Virgin Islands remains low. Photo: Internet Source
Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronald E. Georges emphasised that while the hantavirus situation is being taken seriously, there is no immediate cause for concern locally. Photo: GIS/File
Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronald E. Georges emphasised that while the hantavirus situation is being taken seriously, there is no immediate cause for concern locally. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Ministry of Health and Social Development has said it is closely monitoring a reported hantavirus cluster linked to a cruise vessel outside of the Caribbean region, and is reassuring the public that the current risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.

According to regional and international public health updates, a small number of cases, including severe illness, have been identified among passengers and crew aboard a vessel currently outside the Caribbean. As of early May, there have been eight reported cases, including three confirmed and three deaths, associated with this incident.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronald E. Georges emphasised that while the situation is being taken seriously, there is no immediate cause for concern locally.

“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low. However, we are working in collaboration with regional partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to utilise enhanced surveillance systems to monitor potential health threats associated with travel and tourism," Dr Georges stated in a press release.

He said port health teams also remain engaged in routine inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.

'Remain mindful of general prevention practices'

Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine, or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.

Health officials note that the virus is typically associated with specific rodent species not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.

Dr Georges noted that while the risk remains low, the Ministry is encouraging residents to remain mindful of general prevention practices, particularly around rodent control.

Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not addressed promptly.

13 Responses to “Hantavirus risk to VI remains low- Ministry of Health”

  • OH K (12/05/2026, 22:10) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    All they want is to start the law... agenda 2030 is soon here. Vaccine with the chip is their goal. You can't buy, sell or trade with that shot. Where is the virus. If you watched the news ,then you know it's in the vaccinated people. You all don't know what's all in those vaccine. They even get rid of one because they know the day is coming to kill all vaccinated people. The seven years and years is next year. How did all the vaccinated people just drop dead at one time causing mass dead bodies, during the Spanish flu?? Look it up
  • Fran (13/05/2026, 00:47) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    PLEASE keep this away from us. We cannot go through another COVID!
  • WHO again.. (13/05/2026, 01:37) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    They ain"t plan to give up. .We not locking down again..Stop hurting and killing people just to finance their organization. To achieve their agenda of population reduction. We will never lock down again or take any vaccine again...Time they quit this their population reduction agenda and let people be..
  • Herbs Powa (13/05/2026, 05:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The flu will always be around people. Don't take their poison, we have seen this death game before.
    • Citizen (13/05/2026, 08:22) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      its not the flu, it doesn't spread through the air from person t operson, yuou have to breath in, infected rat droppings
  • OH K (13/05/2026, 09:59) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    @ the uneducated slow people. You can clearly see all agendas in tv. Look how children don't respect their parents. Do you see it in tv? Look how tv does sex on regular tv for your children to see. Also in cartoons. It's called subliminal messages..it's called television program for a reason. Tv,and technology is raising the children now. That vaccine should wake you up ...look world wide how many people are dying. Birth in children dropped World wide. . Death went to an all high. Go to the funeral homes and ask. The it's simple. Are you going to stay stupid. Do your homework. Digital chip id. The vaccinated people will be fully controlled. Sounds crazy but watch it play out. Did you see how they stopped everyone from going outside,but essential workers during the fake COVID. I guess essential workers was immune to the virus and they was out in the invisible virus. WOW...you people really are dumb. It's no saving you All
  • Research (13/05/2026, 10:22) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can anyone research what does Hanta mean in Hebrew? What does it mean? Lmao
  • please (13/05/2026, 15:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please don't over react like the government did for covid. 5 day lock down, no add 21 more days. Shut down ruined the economy, gave everyone but the HOA PTSD.
  • look (13/05/2026, 18:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep your house clean so the rats don’t get in your home to poop or urinate in your home. Wash your can goods because you don’t know what is running around in the supermarkets or food stores when closed at nights. Keep your hands clean. It is spread by rat droppings.
  • @research (13/05/2026, 19:54) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shocking
  • ausar (15/05/2026, 06:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Right now, this virus is in America!
    Those folks who were on that cruise were flown to Nebraska, and placed in isolation for observations!

    We are all awaiting the results from such observations!



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