Four crew members who sailed to Somalia suspected of hantavirus in West Jakarta

West Jakarta Sub-District Health Office (Sudinkes Jakbar) reported four crew members who sailed to Somalia were suspected of hantavirus in the area.

‘On 13 May 2026, Cengkareng Regional Hospital reported four suspected hantavirus cases among crew members who sailed to Somalia,’ said Sahruna, Head of Sudinkes Jakbar, when contacted in Jakarta on Tuesday.

They were tested for hantavirus, malaria, and yellow fever. ‘The results were negative for hantavirus, yellow fever, and malaria,’ he added.

The four crew members were allowed to go home as they no longer showed symptoms.

Sudinkes Jakbar continues to implement preventive and monitoring measures in line with the Health Ministry’s 2023 guidelines for hantavirus prevention and control.

These include strengthening early warning surveillance through indicator- and event-based systems (IBS & EBS); enhancing vigilance for hantavirus through a Health Provincial DKI Jakarta Head’s Notice No. 1501/KS.02.01 dated 12 May 2026 on Hantavirus Vigilance sent to Sub-District Health Offices, hospitals, and Puskesmas in DKI Jakarta.

Additionally, preparing Rapid Response Teams (TGC) for epidemiological investigation and rapid case response; ensuring specimen management, laboratory testing, and RT-PCR/serology referrals; strengthening clinical management and infection prevention and control (IPC) at healthcare facilities; conducting epidemiological investigations and mapping environmental risk factors and rodent populations.

Moreover, rodent reservoir control and integrated environmental sanitation improvements; strengthening risk communication, public education, and cross-sectoral coordination.

He urged the public to adhere to health protocols, including washing hands with soap and practising cough and sneeze etiquette.

‘Avoid direct contact with infected rodents (rats/gerbils) through bites, excretions and secretions (saliva, urine, faeces), or inhalation of aerosols,’ he said.

‘Maintain cleanliness in living and working areas, store food and drinks securely, and seal all holes inside and outside homes. Seek medical attention immediately if hantavirus symptoms occur,’ Sahruna added.