Melaka: The Melaka government is monitoring the spread of Hantavirus infections reported in several European countries, said the state Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem. He stated that routine inspections are currently being carried out through the Malaysian Maritime Single Window system, a digital platform developed by the Ministry of Transport to coordinate and digitalise all ship clearance processes at ports.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, cruise ships are required to declare their voyages through the system. If there are passengers wishing to disembark, the Immigration Department and Health Department will conduct screenings before they are allowed to go ashore. These inspections are routine, and no additional measures have been introduced at this point, as mentioned in a brief statement by Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem via a WhatsApp group.

Yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that Malaysia remains on full alert against the threat of Hantavirus transmission, although no cases involving Malaysians have been recorded so far. International media reported that European countries had increased monitoring and isolation measures following an outbreak linked to the Dutch cruise ship, MV Hondius.

Melaka is among the cruise ship stopover destinations along the Melaka Strait in the country.