Hong Kong is treating hantavirus outbreak with reasonable caution

The city’s Centre for Health Protection said it was taking a “proactive and precautionary” approach after tests showed most of the cases involved the Andes genotype. It is the only form of hantavirus confirmed to spread among people. The virus is primarily spread through contact with infected rodents’ faeces, saliva or urine.

Centre controller Dr Edwin Tsui Lok-kin said the Airport Authority and travel industry players had been informed about the epidemiological development of hantaviruses, preventive measures and guidelines as well as instructed in rodent control and hygiene monitoring at all boundary control points.

It is reassuring that hantavirus is a statutory notifiable disease in Hong Kong, meaning doctors must report all suspected or confirmed cases for immediate investigations and control measures. The illness is also rarely seen in the city. The centre says it has recorded an average of zero to two cases of hantavirus infections annually over the past five years and none so far this year.

The response from the Hong Kong authorities so far has matched what is to be expected from a high-functioning public health system. Fortunately, there were no Hong Kong residents among the 147 passengers and crew on board the MV Hondius. The public and authorities must remain vigilant without equating the ship incident with an impending local crisis.

Though pandemic memories are still fresh, Hong Kong and other communities around the world will be at their best if they fight the urge to overreact and instead focus on hygiene and other actions that are proven best defences.