Risk level for the general population in Europe in relation to Hantavirus is very low, Health Ministry said, noting that the situation is being closely monitored by the competent international and European health authorities.
In a press release issued here on Monday, following the reported cases on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, the Cyprus Ministry noted that hantaviruses are a group of viruses that are transmitted mainly through contact with rodents, such as mice and rats, or through contaminated particles from their environment.
It is also clarified that human-to-human transmission is extremely rare and is not a common way of spreading the virus.
According to the risk report by European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the situation is being closely monitored by the competent international and European health authorities, the Ministry said.
It further pointed out that it is in constant communication and cooperation with European and international public health organisations, constantly evaluating all epidemiological data and implementing the required preparedness protocols, where necessary.
The Ministry also reassured the public that the health system remains fully prepared both in terms of laboratory support and management of possible incidents, in accordance with the current action plans for public health.
Moreover it called on the public to obtain information exclusively from official and reliable sources and to avoid reproducing any unconfirmed details.