Kenya has heightened screening measures at airports and seaports following a reported case of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) on the cruise ship MV Hondius, currently traveling in the Atlantic Ocean. The Health Director General, Dr. Patrick Amoth, confirmed the move in a statement on May 8, 2026, citing the need to prevent the virus from entering the country.
The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, reported a single case of HPS in a passenger who is now in stable condition. The ship is en route to a port in South America, and no other cases have been reported among the 170 passengers and crew. Hantavirus is typically transmitted through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva, and HPS can be severe.
Kenyan authorities are screening travelers for symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and shortness of breath, and have set up isolation protocols at points of entry. The World Health Organization has not issued a travel advisory related to this case, but Kenya's Ministry of Health is coordinating with international health bodies.
Dr. Amoth urged the public to remain calm and avoid contact with rodents, as the risk of local transmission remains low. The enhanced measures are part of Kenya's routine preparedness for emerging infectious diseases.
