Cyprus Ministry of Health develops action plan for potential hantavirus outbreak

Cypriot authorities have declared their readiness for any possible scenarios related to hantavirus following an outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius. Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health, Elizabeth Constantinou, stated that special response protocols based on recommendations from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have already been prepared in the country.

According to Constantinou, specialists from the epidemiological surveillance department closely monitored the international situation over the weekend and developed an action strategy in case potential contacts appear in Cyprus. According to European recommendations, a quarantine of up to 42 days is provided for contact persons. At the same time, individual countries may apply even stricter security measures.

The Ministry of Health emphasized that hantavirus is transmitted mainly from animals to humans and only in rare cases — between people. The main concern is the high mortality rate of the disease, which is why international health services have taken enhanced precautionary measures. As a reminder, the deaths of three passengers on the cruise ship where the outbreak was recorded were previously reported.

Constantinou noted that the risk to Cyprus is currently assessed as «very low,» as no confirmed cases have been registered in the country. However, authorities reminded citizens of the need to observe hygiene measures when in contact with potential rodent habitats. This especially applies to farmers and owners of holiday homes, warehouses, and utility rooms, where other dangerous infections may also spread.