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Some of the cytoarchitectural features in a lymph node specimen extracted from a patient suspected of a Hantavirus illness is seen in this handout photo obtained by Reuters, July 6, 2017.
The number of possible contacts with hantavirus-infected people has increased to 97 in South Africa. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has confirmed the number to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) News.
Motsoaledi says they are working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to trace cases locally.
The hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship has raised significant concerns globally.
According to the WHO, hantavirus spreads through contact with the urine, faeces or saliva of infected rodents, and can also be transmitted through contaminated surfaces.
Motsoaledi says their focus is to find all those who could have been in contact with infected persons.
WATCH | Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says contact tracing is underway to identify those who may have been exposed to hantavirus. pic.twitter.com/ADspshhSeE
— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 4, 2026
“We are concerned about contacts, whether it’s from the plane, from the ambulance or health workers. They are all equally contacts. So far, we’ve identified 97 contacts, 90 of whom have been reached already and advised and they are being watched. We’ll watch them for the whole six weeks. Four of the contacts out of these 90 that have been reached are in the Western Cape, 86 are in Gauteng,” he says.
VIDEO | 90 people monitored for Hantavirus in SA: Motsoaledi:
