Sudan aviation center warns of Hantavirus risks as WHO confirms Atlantic outbreak
May 9, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Centre for Civil Aviation Studies and Research warned on Saturday of the risks of Hantavirus, calling on aviation authorities to implement urgent health precautions at airports as international travel resumes.
The warning follows a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report regarding a deadly outbreak of the Andes strain of Hantavirus linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. As of May 8, the WHO confirmed eight cases, including six laboratory-confirmed infections and three deaths, resulting in a 38% case fatality rate.
Hantavirus is a group of viruses primarily transmitted by rodents, including mice and rats, through contact with their urine, faeces, or saliva. Humans typically become infected by inhaling contaminated particles or touching contaminated surfaces. While human-to-human transmission is rare, the WHO confirmed that the Andes strain involved in the current Atlantic outbreak has shown limited spread between people in close contact.
The Sudanese centre urged the Civil Aviation Authority to tighten health measures, particularly for passengers arriving from countries with documented outbreaks. The proposed measures include intensified sterilization of travel halls, warehouses, and service areas, alongside rigorous rodent control programs within airport perimeters.
The centre also stressed the importance of readying quarantine units for early detection and ensuring that cleaning crews and ground staff use personal protective equipment. It recommended periodic inspections of food storage and aircraft catering facilities.
The aviation research body called for the activation of the Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA). This International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) mechanism coordinates responses between the aviation and public health sectors to manage cross-border diseases.
Activating CAPSCA is considered vital for updating emergency plans as Sudanese airports restore operations following the conflict. The centre noted that these steps are essential to maintain international safety standards without disrupting air traffic.
The WHO currently assesses the global risk as low but has alerted 12 countries linked to the cruise ship outbreak to monitor and conduct contact tracing. Guidelines issued for travellers include frequent handwashing, using sanitizers, and avoiding poorly stored food. Passengers were advised to immediately report symptoms such as fever, severe fatigue, or shortness of breath after travelling.