Current concerns tied mainly to imported exposure rather than community spread
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians exposed to hantavirus overseas may unknowingly carry the infection for weeks before symptoms appear, prompting health experts to warn that missed travel history could allow imported cases to slip through despite no local infections being reported so far.
Malaysia’s immediate risk remains low but vigilance is critical as the main threat involves travellers arriving from affected regions, said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre infectious disease specialist Assoc Prof Dr Petrick @ Ramesh K. Periyasamy.
“The primary clinical concern is imported cases via travellers arriving from high-risk regions,” he said.
He said doctors could miss suspected cases if assessments focused only on visible symptoms without probing recent travel, contact with rodent-contaminated environments or cruise exposure.
“The incubation period is typically between one and seven weeks, with a median of between 14 and 17 days.”
He also said while hantaviruses are traditionally spread through exposure to aerosolised rodent urine, droppings or saliva, the strain linked to the recent international cluster warrants greater concern because of its rare ability to spread between humans.
Petrick said the virus attacks the lining of blood vessels, potentially triggering fluid leakage that could lead to severe lung or kidney complications in critical cases.
Nevertheless, he stressed that the risk of local transmission remains controlled as current concerns are tied mainly to imported exposure rather than community spread.
Meanwhile, university public health expert and School of Liberal Studies dean Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said the alert should serve as a reminder not to take rodent exposure lightly, particularly in unhygienic environments.
She said although hantavirus infections are rare, contact with rat droppings, urine, saliva, bites or carcasses could expose people to diseases already endemic in Malaysia.
“The probability of getting leptospirosis is higher compared with hantavirus infection.”
She said prevention efforts should begin at home, workplaces, food storage areas and rubbish disposal sites, where poor sanitation could encourage rodent infestations.
“Clean your home, living area and workplace so that there is no opportunity for rats to breed.
“Prevent rat breeding areas, such as rubbish piles, food areas and storage places, especially in residential areas or workplaces.”
She also warned against dry sweeping rat droppings, saying contaminated particles could become airborne and inhaled.
“Wear a mask, goggles and gloves when cleaning rat droppings, urine, carcasses or saliva.
“If there is contact, quickly wash your hands or the exposed area with soap and water. Do not rub your eyes or mouth.
“Clean rat droppings by applying bleach for between five and 10 minutes before removing them.” On concerns involving pets, Sharifa said cats do not transmit hantavirus to humans, although rodent carcasses brought indoors should be handled cautiously.
“Cats do not transmit hantavirus to humans. What people need to be careful about is if rat carcasses are brought into the house.”
Global concern over hantavirus intensified after the World Health Organisation was notified on May 2 of a severe respiratory illness cluster aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship.
By May 8, eight cases had been reported, including six confirmed infections, two probable cases and three deaths.
The vessel carried 147 passengers and crew while 34 passengers had already disembarked, triggering international contact tracing efforts.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said on Sunday Malaysia remains on full alert despite recording no hantavirus cases involving Malaysians.
