TRNC Ministry of Health commented on the hantavirus situation after a case on a cruise ship

The Ministry of Health has issued an official statement regarding hantavirus infection, which is considered an extremely rare disease. The reason for the statement was a registered case of infection on a cruise ship that departed from Argentina — a country where such cases are recorded more frequently than in other regions of the world.

The department explained that hantavirus is transmitted through contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of rodents, as well as through contaminated surfaces. The infection can cause severe respiratory diseases and, in some cases, lead to respiratory failure.

According to the Ministry of Health, the first symptoms of the disease are headache, high fever, nausea, and abdominal pain. In case of complications, the disease can progress rapidly and affect the respiratory system. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine against hantavirus, so patients are prescribed supportive therapy.

The statement also emphasizes that the World Health Organization assesses the risk of the infection spreading among the population as low. Medical observation is being carried out for all people who were on board the vessel.

It was separately noted that there were no citizens of Turkey or the TRNC among the passengers of the cruise liner. The Ministry urged citizens to remain calm and follow the recommendations of health authorities.