Hantavirus threat ruled out in Cyprus: risk assessed as zero

There is no cause for concern in Cyprus regarding the possible spread of hantavirus, despite reports of fatalities on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. This was stated by Costas Constantinou, an infectious disease specialist at Nicosia General Hospital, who emphasized that such cases have never been recorded in the country.

According to the specialist, the risk for Cyprus is "zero," as there were no citizens of the island among the ship's passengers. Consequently, authorities do not deem it necessary to introduce additional control measures at airports and seaports.

Hantavirus is a group of viruses transmitted primarily through contact with rodent excreta. It can cause two main diseases: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), common in the Americas and characterized by high mortality, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), more common in Europe and generally milder. Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare.

The expert noted that there is no specific treatment for hantavirus, and therapy is supportive, depending on timely diagnosis. In Europe, only isolated cases have been recorded, including in Northern Greece.

Regarding the cruise ship incident, the source of infection has not yet been definitively established. It is not ruled out that the infection occurred before the journey began.

Thus, according to specialists, the situation is under control, and there is currently no threat to the population of Cyprus.