Expert: Hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius does not threaten Cyprus

Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Virology Petros Karayiannis stated that the hantavirus cases identified on the cruise ship MV Hondius do not pose a threat to Cyprus or the global public. According to him, this is not a new virus — it has been known for over half a century and was previously recorded in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

In an interview with "POLITIS" radio station, the scientist explained that an American strain of hantavirus, which causes pulmonary syndrome, was detected on the liner. This variant is characterized by a high mortality rate — about 40%. Another type of the virus causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and is more common in Far Eastern countries.

The specialist noted that there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for hantavirus. This is why infected passengers and those who had contact with them are under strict supervision and long-term isolation. The incubation period of the virus can last from one to eight weeks, and the quarantine for contact persons is 45 days.

According to Karayiannis, the virus is transmitted mainly through the excrement, urine, and saliva of rodents. Human-to-human transmission is possible but occurs extremely rarely and requires very close contact. The scientist suggested that the first patient might have been infected in Argentina while birdwatching at a landfill.

On board the liner, where passengers were in the confined space of cabins and corridors, conditions arose for the limited spread of the infection. At the same time, the professor emphasized that there were no Cypriot citizens among the passengers, although one Greek citizen is receiving treatment in an Athens hospital.