19/05/2026
HIGHER HEALTH ADVISORY TO ALL PSET INSTITUTIONS REGARDING HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK
Higher Health SA, in collaboration with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service (NICD/NHLS South Africa), is issuing an Advisory regarding the current global concerns and reported outbreaks associated with hantavirus infection (i.e. Andes virus).
At this stage, we wish to assure all institutions, students, staff, parents and surrounding communities that there is no cause for panic. This Advisory is issued strictly as a preventive and precautionary measure to strengthen awareness across Universities, TVET Colleges, CET Colleges, student residences, hostels, and all associated campus environments with relation to the ongoing Andes virus outbreak related to the MV Hondius cruise ship in May 2026.
This Advisory follows numerous requests and enquiries received to Higher Health from various higher education institutions, particularly relating to student residences, congregated living spaces, campus environments, and the need to strengthen precautionary health and safety measures for students, staff, and surrounding communities, and several instances of false news regarding the outbreak and these institutions. This serves to allay fears by providing relevant information to understand the context of the current outbreak.
Hantaviruses are primarily spread through contact with infected rodents in endemic areas (i.e. where the viruses circulate in certain species rodents), especially through exposure to rodent urine, droppings, saliva, or contaminated dust particles in poorly ventilated or unclean environments. Hantaviruses have not been found in rodents in South Africa to date.
The current Andes virus outbreak involving passengers on board the cruise ship, the MV Hondius, involves adventure tourists with extensive travel histories in Argentina and other South American countries, one which is indicated as the index case of this outbreak. Andes virus is known to circulate in different regions of Argentina and Chile, but also other countries in South America.
To date, the outbreak has only involved only passengers associated with the cruise ship. Rapid outbreak responses have been activated to the outbreak prevent onward spread of the virus, nationally and internationally. Extensive contact tracing and monitoring nationally and internationally have been ongoing since the outbreak was notified. More information is available via the NICD/NHLS website.
The risk to the general public remains low. It is recommended to refer to trusted sources for updates on the outbreak, as false news is common.
Higher Health remains committed to safeguarding the health, well-being, and safety of students and staff across the Post-School Education and Training sector. Further guidance and support will continue in collaboration with the NICD/NHLS and relevant public health authorities. For additional information, guidance, and updates on hantavirus (and Andes virus specifically), colleagues and institutions may refer to the following resources:
• National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) South Africa
• World Health Organization (WHO) – Hantavirus Information
• Higher Health South Africa
Also follow the updates through the social media platforms of the National Department of Health and the NICD/NHLS.
We urge all institutions to remain calm, informed, and proactive in maintaining safe and healthy learning and living environments.
Yours sincerely,
Dr (Prof) Ramneek Ahluwalia
CEO: HIGHER HEALTH
Buti Manamela
DM Nomusa Dube-Ncube
DM Dr Mimmy Gondwe
DHET
South African Union of Students
SATVETSA Nec
TUT Health and Wellness
National Skills Fund
Unisa - The University of South Africa
Universities South Africa
