The test was conducted after Indonesia received notification from the International Health Regulation National Focal Point regarding the man’s exposure to a passenger who later died from hantavirus infection.
The patient, identified only as KE, a 60-year-old foreign national, had close contact with a 69-year-old woman who died after contracting the virus, officials said.
“He was a close contact of the second case and was on the same flight from Saint Helena to Johannesburg,” acting disease control director general Andi Saguni told reporters in Jakarta.
Andi said KE showed no symptoms but had underlying health conditions, including uncontrolled hypertension and a history of vaping.
“However, based on laboratory results, the patient tested negative for hantavirus,” Andi said.
The man remains under close observation at Jakarta’s Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital, although his condition is stable, the ministry said.
The Health Ministry completed an epidemiological investigation, travel tracing and medical examination within 24 hours after receiving the international alert on May 8, 2026.
“The patient is in good health and exhibits no concerning symptoms. Monitoring is ongoing so he can later return home safely,” Andi said.
He said health workers from the Senen district community health center would continue monitoring the patient in line with World Health Organization guidelines for close contacts.
“Under WHO procedures, close contacts must undergo daily quarantine and active monitoring,” Andi said, adding that exposed individuals should work from home and report any symptoms immediately.
The ministry urged the public to remain vigilant after the World Health Organization reported three deaths linked to the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, with a fatality rate of 37.5 percent.
The outbreak originated from a cluster of acute respiratory illnesses reported on the MV Hondius while the cruise ship was sailing across the Atlantic and African regions.
Health officials identified the virus as Andes-strain hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, or HPS, which carries a high mortality rate and is commonly associated with rodent exposure.
Indonesia has never recorded a case of HPS, although several hantavirus infections, including hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, have been reported since 1991.
The Health Ministry also said Indonesia had not recorded any cases of rat-to-human hantavirus transmission to date.
Related news: Ministry tightens screening in response to cruise ship's hantavirus
Translator: Lintang Budiyanti Prameswari, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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