India activated its nationwide Viral Shield laboratory network to strengthen biosurveillance and monitor potential hantavirus transmission following the Andes virus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship.

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• The Indian Council of Medical Research activated the Viral Shield surveillance network comprising 165 specialised laboratories to monitor potential hantavirus transmission risks.
• The enhanced surveillance measures were initiated after the Andes strain outbreak linked to the Dutch cruise vessel MV Hondius attracted international health attention.
• Two Indian nationals aboard the affected cruise ship were evacuated to the Netherlands under quarantine and health monitoring safety protocols.
• The Andes strain is considered significant because it remains one of the few hantavirus variants capable of limited human-to-human transmission.
• India’s surveillance framework uses specialised Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction testing protocols to identify the genetic signature of the virus.
• The Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory network enables rapid sample testing and supports early detection before severe Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome develops.
• Indian health authorities are monitoring exposed individuals for 45 days to prevent asymptomatic transmission and strengthen national biosurveillance preparedness.
• The Indian Council of Medical Research stated that no confirmed hantavirus cases have currently been detected within the Indian population under national surveillance systems.