Deputy Health Minister Explains Hantavirus in Indonesia Differs from Cruise Ship Cases

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono has revealed that human-to-human transmission of hantavirus is still under research. The Indonesian government is continuing to monitor developments in hantavirus cases, which have been widely discussed following reports of deaths on a foreign cruise ship.

“The three deaths on the cruise ship are still being investigated to determine if this hantavirus involves human-to-human transmission,” Dante told the media in Bandung on Tuesday (12/5/2026).

Dante explained that hantavirus has two main types. The first is Hantavirus Fever Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which attacks the kidneys, characterised by symptoms such as high fever, jaundice, and kidney dysfunction. Its fatality rate is around 15%.

The second type is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which attacks the lungs. This type is considered more dangerous, with a fatality rate of 60% to 80%.

“Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome that affects the lungs has a death rate of 60 to 80 percent,” he stated.

Dante said that Indonesia has identified 23 hantavirus cases since 2023. However, all detected cases are of the relatively mild HFRS type.

“Indonesia has found 23 cases since 2023. But they are all mild Hantavirus Fever Renal Syndrome,” he said.

He added that hantavirus has a reservoir in the form of rodents, particularly in dirty environments and post-flood areas contaminated with rodent urine. Therefore, hantavirus is said to resemble leptospirosis in its transmission pattern.

“The hantavirus has a reservoir. The reservoir or vector is rodents,” Dante said.

Nevertheless, Dante urged the public not to panic. Because the hantavirus found in Indonesia remains in the mild category to date.

“It’s not dangerous. The fatality rate is only 15%,” he said.

The Health Ministry is now beginning to test hantavirus in leptospirosis patients to enhance early vigilance against the disease.