WHO: Low risk of global spread of the Andes virus

Several people who were on the ship have fallen ill. Three have died. Two of these are confirmed cases of the virus, and the third is a suspected case.

The Public Health Agency of Sweden states that the World Health Organization (WHO) assesses the risk of global spread as low. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assesses the risk to the general public in the EU as very low.

Andes viruses belong to the hantavirus group. Each hantavirus has a specific rodent species as its host animal. The virus is primarily transmitted when people inhale dust containing traces of infected rodents' urine and feces, or through direct contact with the saliva, urine, or feces of infected animals.

Human-to-human transmission is very rare for hantaviruses, but has been reported for Andes viruses in South America. Transmission can occur through close contact.

A Swedish man was on board the ship and is now being monitored by public health authorities in the region where he lives, said Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed at a press conference. According to the minister, the man has no symptoms of the disease but is self-isolating at home.

The incubation period, the time between becoming infected and falling ill, is about six weeks, according to Acting State Epidemiologist Erik Sturegård. During the incubation period, the risk of infecting others is very low, he continued. It is approximately one day before the first symptoms appear that the infection can spread to others.

The disease is classified as a public health hazard, according to Acting State Epidemiologist Erik Sturegård.

Hantaviruses are also present in Sweden and can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is not contagious between humans.