Parliament, Wednesday, 6 May 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Health has commended the Department of Health, the National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD) and frontline healthcare workers for their swift, coordinated and effective response in identifying and tracking the hantavirus cases linked to an international cruise ship.
The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, the Department of Health and the NICD briefed the committee on the country’s response.
The portfolio committee Chairperson, Ms Faith Muthambi, expressed condolences to the families of those who passed away and solidarity with all affected individuals.
Briefing the committee, the Minister informed committee members that the World Health Organisation (WHO) was notified on 2 May 2026 of cases of severe respiratory illness aboard a Dutch-flagged cruise ship travelling from South America. The vessel was reported to be carrying 147 passengers and crew from multiple nationalities. Two fatalities have been reported, while one United Kingdom national remains hospitalised in Johannesburg and is reported to be in a stable condition.
The Minister indicated that preliminary laboratory findings confirmed the Andes strain of hantavirus, a zoonotic virus primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents. Dr Motsoaledi emphasised that human-to-human transmission is rare and requires close contact. The committee was also informed that, based on available scientific evidence presented by the department and experts, rodents in South Africa do not carry this strain of hantavirus. Officials from the department and the NICD said the virus is largely endemic to South America, and there is currently no indication of its presence in local rodent populations.
The department further reported that contact tracing processes have identified 62 individuals as possible contacts, of whom 42 have already been traced and are being monitored.
Members of the committee stressed the importance of continuous updates on the progress of tracing and monitoring efforts, in order to maintain public confidence, ensure transparency and to prevent panic and allay fear.
During the engagement, the committee raised various concerns about the effectiveness of early detection systems and questioned how the initial case was not identified on board the cruise ship or at points of entry. Members asked whether there were any gaps or breaches in screening protocols, particularly at OR Tambo International Airport, and whether lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic had been fully implemented to strengthen surveillance systems.
Concerns were also expressed by committee members about how a passenger who later deteriorated was able to travel without triggering precautionary measures, and whether sufficient communication protocols were followed between transport operators and health authorities.
Members cross-examined the country’s border health systems and whether they are adequately equipped to detect and respond to emerging and unusual infectious diseases. In addition, the committee raised question regarding the process through which the virus was identified, given that hantavirus is not routinely tested for and often difficult to detect. The committee inquired about the clinical and laboratory steps that led to its detection.
The committee also enquired about the country’s diagnostic capacity and scientific sovereignty, particularly in relation to reports about samples being sent outside the country. The department explained that local laboratories confirmed the diagnosis, Members emphasised the importance of sustained investment in domestic testing capabilities to ensure that South Africa remains self-reliant.
The issue of funding for the NICD and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) emerged as a key concern during the engagement. Members noted the financial pressures within the current funding model and emphasised that both institutions are critical to South Africa’s ability to respond to public health threats. In response, the Minister acknowledged that the funding of the NICD and NHLS has been an ongoing matter of engagement with National Treasury for over a decade. Dr Motsoaledi indicated that the department would like to be invited to brief the committee on the challenges and funding mechanisms, and also called on the committee to support efforts to secure sustainable financing for these institutions.
Committee members also raised concerns regarding South Africa’s readiness to respond to a potential increase in cases, including the preparedness of health facilities, the protection of healthcare workers and the adequacy of contingency planning. Questions were posed about the potential risk in densely populated areas in particular where rodent infestations are prevalent. The committee urged the department to provide clear guidance to address public fears. Members further emphasised the need to strengthen communication to both healthcare workers and the public to ensure consistent accurate information.
The committee commended the department and the NICD for the speed and accuracy with which the virus was identified, with committee members noting that detecting such a rare pathogen in a short period is comparable to “finding a needle in a haystack”. The committee recognised this as evidence of strong clinical expertise in the Department of Health, including effective surveillance systems and the country’s advanced laboratory capacity.
Chairperson Muthambi highlighted the importance of ongoing communication with the public stating, “the committee calls on the department to continue providing regular and transparent updates to South Africans on the progress of contact tracing, monitoring and any new developments. Clear communication is essential to maintaining public trust and preventing unnecessary panic.”
She further highlighted that the current risk remains contained, “We note the assurances that there is limited exposure within the country at this stage. However, we must remain vigilant and ensure that our systems continue to function optimally to prevent any escalation.”
The Chairperson said this incident once again demonstrates the importance of strong coordination with international bodies such as the World Health Organisation, along with collaboration with other countries. Effective information sharing and global health diplomacy remain critical in managing cross-border health threats.
The committee will continue to monitor the situation closely and expects the department to provide regular updates on tracing efforts, laboratory findings and containment measures, to ensure that the situation remains under control and the public remains informed.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MS FAITH MUTHAMBI.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Yoliswa Landu (Ms)
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E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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