Ministry of Health Asks Close Contacts of Hantavirus Case to Undergo WFH and Quarantine

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has requested that close contacts of the Hantavirus case on the MV Hondius cruise ship undergo quarantine and work from home (WFH). Acting Director General of Disease Control and Prevention at Kemenkes, Andi Saguni, stated that quarantine and monitoring must follow isolation guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO). “In line with WHO recommendations, close contacts must undergo quarantine and active daily monitoring,” said Andi during a press conference on Monday (11/5/2026). Andi explained that Kemenkes also asks Hantavirus close contacts to limit activities outside the home, including work, during the observation period. He noted that monitoring for close contacts is necessary because Hantavirus has an incubation period that can last more than two weeks. Therefore, laboratory examinations must also be conducted periodically until fully declared negative. “The laboratory examination process will be repeated every two weeks,” he added. Andi further explained that the Hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship is the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) type, caused by the Andes virus strain. Research shows that Hantavirus HPS can transmit between humans through close and prolonged contact. In contrast, the HFRS type of Hantavirus in Asia and Indonesia has no evidence of human-to-human transmission to date. Nevertheless, there remains a risk factor for HFRS transmission through contact with rats or shrews via bites, urine, faeces, or contaminated dust. “There are illustrations of high-risk occupations involving rat contact, such as waste handlers, farmers, and areas prone to flooding, activities in risk areas like basements with rats, old buildings, and so on,” he said.