Kiwi onboard hantavirus-hit cruise ship tests negative, isolating in Taiwan

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control says a New Zealander on board the cruise ship struck by hantavirus has tested negative.

One New Zealander left the ship on Saint Helena Island in the South Atlantic last month - before the deadly hantavirus outbreak was revealed.

The Centers for Disease Control said the passenger entered Taiwan on 7 May and has reported no health issues.

It said testing of blood and urine samples were negative for hantavirus and infection has been ruled out.

However, it said the passenger is a high-risk contact and will therefore remain isolated in hospital for monitoring until 6 June.

"The passenger is required to measure body temperature daily for health monitoring and to observe good respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene," the CDC said.

"Taiwan CDC will continue to collect specimens weekly through the end of the enhanced self-health management period.

"Taiwan CDC will continue to work with WHO and the New Zealand government on the appropriate response measures related to this passenger during their stay in Taiwan and reassures the public that there is no cause for concern."

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade earlier said it was in contact with the New Zealander.

"We are providing consular assistance to a dual national who ordinarily resides outside New Zealand, who has sought help from MFAT today."

A second New Zealander and five Australians are now in quarantine in Western Australia.

The ABC reported all six passengers had tested negative for hantavirus before flying to Perth. They were all asymptomatic, but would undergo further health screening.

What is hantavirus?

Hantavirus is typically spread by the inhalation of contaminated rodent droppings.

This particular strain, the Andes virus, is endemic to Argentina, and is the only strain of hantavirus that has been known to have human to human transmission - typically through very close contact such as sharing a bed or food.

Its symptoms typically include fever, headache, muscle aches and gastrointestinal symptoms.

No vaccines or specific treatments exist for hantavirus, but quick hospital care can often prevent symptoms turning deadly.

Hantaviruses are found in small mammals such as rats, mice, voles, shrews and lemmings, but no New Zealand rodents carry these viruses, University of Auckland associate professor of infectious diseases Dr Mark Thomas said.

"The only way a New Zealand resident could become unwell with a hantavirus infection would be as the result of travel to a country where the virus is present."

WHO has said the investigations so far suggest possible exposure to rodents during bird watching activities.

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