Newsroom
Health authorities say there is no current risk linked to a suspected hantavirus incident reported on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, according to infectious disease specialist Kostas Constantinou.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Constantinou explained that no case of hantavirus has ever been identified or diagnosed in Cyprus, and no patient has presented symptoms consistent with the disease. He stressed that the situation abroad does not pose a threat locally, describing the risk to the island as nonexistent. He also confirmed that no Cypriot nationals were on board the vessel linked to the reported infections, meaning there is no justification for additional checks at entry points such as ports or airports.
The incident under discussion involves three deaths and three additional infections connected to a cruise ship that departed from South America. The exact virus strain has not yet been confirmed, leaving open whether exposure occurred before or during the voyage.
Hantaviruses are a group of pathogens transmitted mainly through contact with or inhalation of particles from rodent waste. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon and has only been documented in rare cases tied to specific strains in South America.
Two main illness patterns are associated with these viruses. In the Americas, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is more common and carries a high fatality rate of roughly 30 to 40 percent. In Europe, cases are typically linked to hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which tends to be less severe, with mortality ranging from 1 to 10 percent.
There is no targeted antiviral treatment for hantavirus infections. Care focuses on early detection and supportive medical management to improve outcomes.
Constantinou added that isolated cases have been recorded in northern Greece, including a small cluster more than a decade ago, but such incidents remain rare in the region.
Cyprus maintains preparedness plans for managing hemorrhagic fevers, and the specialized unit at Nicosia General Hospital is equipped to handle a suspected case if one arises. Travelers are advised to check health conditions at their destinations and follow recommended precautions before departure.
