Kenyans have been urged to remain calm following growing global concern over hantavirus, after the Ministry of Health confirmed that no case of the disease has been detected in the country.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki said Kenya’s disease surveillance systems remain active and capable of detecting emerging health threats.“No confirmed case of hantavirus has been reported in Kenya,” said Ms Muthoni.
The reassurance comes at a time when health authorities across the world are heightening monitoring of zoonotic diseases — infections transmitted from animals to humans — amid increased global travel and changing climate patterns.
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious viral disease mainly spread through contact with infected rodents, particularly through urine, droppings, or saliva. The illness can cause severe respiratory complications in some cases.While no infections have been recorded locally, Kenyan health authorities have in recent years intensified preparedness against emerging viral outbreaks, including Mpox and Marburg Virus Disease.
According to the Ministry of Health, Kenya has strengthened disease surveillance at border points, enhanced laboratory capacity, and improved emergency response coordination as part of broader public health preparedness efforts.
Health experts say hantavirus infections are more commonly reported in parts of the Americas, Europe, and Asia, with rodents serving as the primary carriers. Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare for most hantavirus strains.
The government has nonetheless encouraged Kenyans to maintain proper hygiene standards, especially in areas prone to rodent infestation, including safe food storage and proper disposal of waste.
Ms Muthoni has previously emphasized the importance of vigilance against infectious diseases and urged the public to rely on verified information from health authorities instead of unverified social media reports.
The Ministry of Health says it continues to monitor regional and global disease trends closely in collaboration with international health agencies to ensure the country remains prepared for any potential outbreak.
