The risk to the wider public from the hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship remains “absolutely low.”
Health officials said there is no need for panic or travel restrictions, as the infection does not spread easily through casual contact. The outbreak is being managed through isolation, medical care, laboratory testing and international coordination.
The outbreak was reported on the cruise ship MV Hondius, where several passengers developed severe respiratory illness. Seven confirmed or suspected cases had been identified as of May 4, including three deaths.
Hantavirus is usually transmitted through contact with the urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents. Limited human-to-human transmission has been reported in previous outbreaks of the Andes virus, but the overall risk to the global population from the current incident remains low.
Health authorities in different countries are monitoring passengers and close contacts as a precaution. Officials said the focus remains on tracing possible exposure, caring for affected patients and preventing further transmission.
