The Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Agency have assured the public that there are no confirmed cases of Hantavirus in Sierra Leone, following a World Health Organization report of a deadly outbreak aboard a cruise ship linked to the United Kingdom.
According to the WHO, a cluster of passengers with severe respiratory illness aboard a cruise ship was reported on 2nd May 2026. The ship is carrying 147 passengers and crew. As of 4th May 2026, the WHO confirmed seven cases, including two laboratory confirmed cases of Hantavirus and five suspected cases. Three people have died, one person is critically ill, and three others have reported mild symptoms, the global health body stated.
In a public notice issued on 10th May 2026, Sierra Leone’s health authorities said they are closely monitoring the situation and have strengthened surveillance at points of entry and health facilities across the country. The agency stated that the current risk to the ECOWAS region, including Sierra Leone, remains low, based on the WHO’s latest assessment.
Hantavirus is a rare viral disease primarily spread through contact with infected rodents such as rats and mice, according to the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Agency. Humans typically become infected through exposure to rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, especially in dusty or poorly ventilated environments, the health officials explained, adding that limited person-to-person transmission has been reported only for the Andes strain.
Symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting or abdominal pain, and difficulty breathing in severe cases, the Ministry of Health stated.
Brig. Gen. Prof. Foday Sahir, Executive Director of the National Public Health Agency, signed the notice urging the public to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation. “We shall initiate Risk Communication and Community Engagement interventions to ensure our communities remain informed, aware, and engaged,” the agency said in the notice.
The government has strengthened surveillance at points of entry and health facilities for early detection and response, the notice added. The Ministry of Health confirmed that it is collaborating with regional and international partners, including the WHO, for timely information sharing.
To prevent rodent infestation and reduce any potential risk, citizens are advised to keep homes and surroundings clean, store food safely, dispose of waste properly, and wear protective gear when cleaning rodent-infested areas, the authorities said. The public should call 117 or seek medical attention if flu-like symptoms develop after rodent exposure or recent travel, the Ministry of Health advised.
The authorities emphasised in the notice that Sierra Leone remains free of the virus. The public is encouraged to follow updates only from official government channels, with Harold Thomas, Government Risk Communication Lead and Health Education Manager at the Ministry of Health, listed as the media contact. The WHO has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the cruise ship’s country of origin or the nationalities of those affected.
