CHP Responds to Hantavirus Infection Cluster on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean, Assuring Low Risk for Hong Kong Residents

DH follows up on hantavirus infection cluster on cruise ship in Atlantic Ocean

In view of a hantavirus infection cluster on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (May 7) that it had proactively sought further information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and relevant health authorities during the past few days. According to the information provided by the WHO and the relevant health authorities, it has been confirmed that there are no Hong Kong residents on the cruise ship in question. Based on the WHO's current assessment, the risk to global health posed by the incident is low. As a precaution, the CHP has distributed the latest health information and guidelines to the travel industry. At the immigration level, the CHP will continue to conduct health screenings for arrivals at all boundary control points and perform health assessments on individuals with a fever, referring relevant individuals to hospitals for medical examinations as needed.

According to the WHO's notification, the cruise ship carried a total of 147 passengers and crew members, who boarded the vessel in Argentina on April 1, 2026. As of May 6, the hantavirus infection cluster involved eight cases (three confirmed and five suspected cases). The first case presented symptoms on April 6. Three of the patients have passed away. Further laboratory testing showed that the hantaviruses in two of the confirmed cases belonged to the Andes genotype, which is currently the only type of hantaviruses confirmed to have limited human-to-human transmission.

"The CHP's Port Health Division has contacted the Airport Authority Hong Kong, as well as relevant organisations and operators in the travel industry (including the Airline Operators' Committee Hong Kong, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, management companies of ferry terminals, cruise operators) to provide them with information on the epidemiological development of the hantaviruses, preventive measures, guidelines and relevant health information, with a view to strengthening health education for travellers and port staff. Furthermore, the CHP has provided information on rodent control to relevant parties and reminded them to implement various rodent control measures and strengthen environmental hygiene monitoring at all boundary control points," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

Dr Tsui added that hantavirus infection is a statutory notifiable disease in Hong Kong. All doctors must notify the CHP of any suspected or confirmed cases of hantavirus infection, enabling the CHP to initiate epidemiological investigations and implement prevention and control measures. At the immigration level, the CHP conducts medical assessments of arrivals who appear unwell or have a fever at all boundary control points. The CHP also refers them to hospitals for medical examinations when necessary. The CHP will continue to closely monitor the latest global situation regarding hantavirus and adjust local prevention and control measures in a timely manner based on risk assessments.

Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the faeces, saliva or urine of infected rodents or by inhaling the virus in aerosolised particles of their excreta. Other routes of infection include being bitten or scratched by infected rodents; eating food contaminated with the virus; and touching the eyes, nose or mouth without washing hands after contact with contaminated objects. Human-to-human transmission is relatively rare.

Diseases in humans caused by hantaviruses can be broadly classified into two categories, namely Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. The incubation period for hantavirus is generally two to four weeks, but can be as short as one week or as long as eight weeks. Depending on the category of infection, symptoms may include fever, intense headache, muscle ache, back pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue and blurred vision. Severe cases may present with respiratory symptoms (such as coughing and shortness of breath), low blood pressure and acute kidney failure. The fatality rate of the disease can be as high as about 40 per cent.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent hantavirus infection. Treatment primarily consists of supportive care. Therefore, seeking medical attention early is crucial.

As of May 6, no cases of hantavirus infection have been reported in Hong Kong this year. Over the past five years, an average of zero to two cases of hantavirus infection have been recorded annually in Hong Kong.

To prevent the hantavirus infection, the public should take the following measures:

• Perform hand hygiene frequently. Wash hands with liquid soap and water;

• Eliminate sources of food or nesting places for rodents inliving environments to preventrodent infestation;

• Avoid contact with rodents, handling live or dead rodents with bare hands, entering rodent infested space, handling rodent excreta or nests, keeping wild rodents as pets; handling equipment kept in areas found with rodents, gardening with bare hands; lying on the ground, and living in residences frequented by rodents; and

• Travellers should avoid visiting or staying in areas with poor environmental hygiene and avoid contacting rodents or their excreta.Adventure travellers and campers should take precautions to exclude rodents from tents or other accommodation and to protect all food from rodent contamination.

• Cruise passengers should take the following measures to prevent and reduce the risk of contracting infectious diseases while on board, as they are often in relatively crowded cabin environments during their voyages:

• contact the cruise line to cancel your trip if you feel unwell before departure;

• immediately notify the ship's medical staff and follow their health advice if you feel unwell during the voyage (e.g., fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhoea, etc);

• maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times during the voyage;

• wear a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor areas.

For more information on hantavirus, please visit the CHP's website or the DH's Travel Health Service website.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP), Photo source: reference image

Speech by SJ at Global Mediation Summit

Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, at the Global Mediation Summit under Mediation Week 2026 today (May 8):

Secretary-General Cheng (Secretary-General of the International Organization for Mediation, Professor Teresa Cheng), Commissioner Cui (Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Cui Jianchun), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. The Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy under the DoJ are extremely honoured to be the key sponsors of today's Global Mediation Summit organised by the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).

Time really flies. I still remember that we hosted the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed on May 30 last year. Shortly after that, we completed the conversion of the Old Wan Chai Police Station into the IOMed Headquarters. On October 20 last year, the formal inauguration and first Governing Council meeting of the IOMed were held. It is indeed remarkable that, within less than a year following the signing of the Convention, the number of signatories has increased to 41, out of which 13 have ratified the Convention and hence become Contracting States.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, in particular the DoJ, will continue to support the work of the IOMed in different ways. First, it will be responsible for the maintenance of the Headquarters. Second, the DoJ will continue to second Hong Kong legal professionals to the IOMed Secretariat. Since 2023, the DoJ has already seconded a total of four counsel to assist in the establishment of the IOMed. Third, the Government will actively promote the use of IOMed mediation by, among other things, taking the lead in procuring the inclusion of an IOMed mediation clause in suitable international agreements to which the HKSAR Government is a party.

Furthermore, we are at the preparatory stage of the construction of an entirely new Hong Kong International Legal Service Building, which will be located adjacent to the IOMed Headquarters. In addition to the provision of training and dispute resolution facilities, space has been reserved for the IOMed in anticipation of its future needs.

I would venture to say that Hong Kong provides the ideal ecosystem for the conduct of international mediation under the IOMed.

To begin with, Hong Kong is well recognised as a leading international legal and dispute resolution services centre. Indeed, one of the mandates stated in the National 15th Five-Year Plan is that Hong Kong shall strengthen its status in this respect.

To be more specific on mediation, Hong Kong aims at establishing itself as the Global Capital of Mediation. Back in 2009, the DoJ launched the "Mediate First" Pledge campaign. The Pledge is a non-legally binding statement of commitment by pledgees to first explore the use of mediation to resolve disputes before resorting to other means of dispute resolution. To date, over 1 000 companies, organisations or associations and individuals have signed the Pledge. Since 2012, the DoJ has been organising the Mediation Week biennially to promote the wider use of mediation in Hong Kong. Today's Summit is indeed the finale of this year's Mediation Week. On November 6, 2024, the DoJ issued the Policy Statement on the Incorporation of Mediation Clauses in Government Contracts, under which the Government, as a matter of general policy, would incorporate a mediation clause in all government contracts. The policy has taken effect since February 6, 2025. The Working Group on Mediation Regulatory System, established by the DoJ in October 2024, has already completed a comprehensive review and made a series of recommendations, including a proposal to introduce legislative amendments to the Mediation Ordinance. The DoJ will take forward the legislative amendment work in the second half of 2026. Furthermore, capacity-building programmes offered by the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, set up by the DoJ in late 2024, would include mediation wherever appropriate.

One of Hong Kong's strengths is its strong pool of legal professionals who are proficient and experienced in international dispute resolution. It is noteworthy that 10 out of the 24 mediators designated by China to the IOMed's General Panel of Mediators come from Hong Kong.

Let us not forget that Hong Kong is located in the heart of Asia, and within a five-hour flight of half of the world's population. It is an international, cosmopolitan city which offers a safe, inclusive and friendly environment to people coming from other parts of the world.

All in all, we are very confident that the IOMed, with its Headquarters in Hong Kong, will make significant contributions to the international rule of law. The HKSAR Government, in particular the DoJ, will continue to do its utmost to promote and support the work of the IOMed in the future. On this note, ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a most constructive Summit. Thank you very much.

The Global Mediation Summit was held today (May 8). Photo shows the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, speaking at the Summit. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases