The World Health Organization has said the risk to the general public from a deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship remains low, stressing that the disease spreads mainly through very close contact.
WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier made the clarification during a press briefing in Geneva on Friday.
According to him, although the virus is dangerous for infected individuals, the likelihood of widespread transmission remains minimal. He noted that even some passengers who shared cabins aboard the affected cruise ship did not become infected.
The outbreak is linked to the MV Hondius, where three passengers have died from the potentially deadly hantavirus strain.
Health authorities had earlier warned that additional cases could emerge, but they believe the outbreak can remain limited if safety measures are properly followed.
Another infected passenger from the ship reportedly arrived in Europe on Friday as the vessel continued its journey toward the Canary Islands.
The situation has drawn international attention because of concerns over the rare human-to-human strain of hantavirus. However, health officials have emphasised that the virus is significantly less contagious than COVID-19.
Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the outbreak and expressed hope that the situation was under control.
The first reported deaths involved a Dutch couple who had travelled across South America before boarding the ship in Ushuaia on April 1.
Authorities in Argentina said investigations are still ongoing to determine the origin of the outbreak.
The Argentine health ministry stated that, based on available information from participating countries and agencies, officials have not yet been able to confirm where the infection began.
