Two Singapore residents who recently travelled aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship have tested negative for hantavirus, according to the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA).
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency said Singapore’s National Public Health Laboratory conducted tests on multiple samples taken from both individuals and confirmed that hantavirus, including the Andes virus strain, was not detected.
Despite the negative results, the CDA said both individuals would remain under quarantine for 30 days from their last known exposure date as a precautionary measure.
The agency added that the pair would undergo another round of testing before being released from quarantine.
“After their release, they will continue to be monitored through telephone follow-ups for the remainder of a 45-day observation period from the date of last exposure, which represents the maximum incubation period for hantavirus exposure,” the agency said.
According to the CDA, the current risk of hantavirus transmission to the public in Singapore remains low.
The agency also said it is closely monitoring developments surrounding the situation and is prepared to strengthen public health measures if new information indicates an increased risk to Singapore.
On Thursday, the CDA confirmed that two men — a 67-year-old Singaporean and a 65-year-old permanent resident — had been isolated at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) for hantavirus testing following their recent cruise trip aboard the MV Hondius.
