Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship: Human-to-Human Transmission Confirmed but Risk Remains Low

The WHO has confirmed human-to-human transmission of a Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, but its risk assessment remains low, as the primary transmission is from rodent contact and requires close human contact to spread.

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the newfound confirmation of human-to-human transmission of the Hantavirus does not alter their risk assessment, which remains at a low level. This announcement was made on Wednesday by Shenaaz El-Halabi, a WHO representative for South Africa.

According to El-Halabi, the primary mode of virus transmission is when individuals come into contact with infected rodents. Even in rare cases of human-to-human transmission, the spread requires very close contact.

This statement follows an outbreak of the Hantavirus on a cruise ship, highlighting the importance of maintaining current safety protocols and understanding transmission dynamics as health officials continue to monitor the situation.