According to the Fiji Centre for Disease Control, eight cases have been identified so far, including three deaths.
The Ministry says Fiji continues to enforce strict maritime health and border protection measures at all international ports of entry to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
They say under existing international health regulations, all ships arriving in Fiji are required to undergo health declaration and inspection procedures before being cleared for entry.
The Ministry says these measures include the submission of Ship Sanitation Certificates, which contain information on rodent control and de-ratting activities, as well as Maritime Declarations of Health detailing any illnesses among passengers or crew.
They say Environmental Health Officers from the Ministry also board incoming vessels for inspections, with additional measures activated under contingency plans when necessary.
The Ministry says Fiji’s surveillance systems for infectious diseases remain active, including protocols at ports of entry for the isolation and treatment of sick passengers through the Border Health Protection Unit in Nadi.
Hantavirus is a rare but serious disease spread to humans through contact with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents such as rats and mice.
While human-to-human transmission is generally uncommon, health officials noted that the Andes strain linked to the cruise ship outbreak has demonstrated the ability to spread through close contact between people.
The Health Ministry is urging the public to remain calm and assured that precautionary systems are in place to protect public health.
