WHO: Low risk of global spread of the hantavirus

Several people who were on the ship have fallen ill and some have died.  

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.

The Public Health Agency of Sweden is aware of two Swedish travelers who may have been exposed to the virus.  They are now being monitored by regional public health authorities in Sweden.

Transmitted from rodents

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. Andes viruses belong to the hantavirus group. 

Classified as a public health hazard

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.