Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ health ministry said on Monday it is fully prepared for hantavirus, citing laboratory support and capacity to manage potential cases, as the number of cases rises worldwide and MV Hondius passengers are repatriated.
Preparedness and transmission risk
The ministry said it is prepared both in terms of laboratory support and in terms of managing potential cases. It added that human-to-human transmission is extremely rare and not a common way of spreading the virus, with transmission primarily occurring through contact with rodents such as mice and rats, or contaminated particles from their environment.
European risk assessment and monitoring
Quoting the European centre for disease prevention and control, the ministry said the risk to the general population in Europe is assessed as very low. It added that the situation is being closely monitored by relevant international and European health authorities.
Coordination and public guidance
The ministry said it is in constant communication with European and international public health organisations, continuously evaluating epidemiological data, and implementing required preparedness protocols where necessary. It urged the public to obtain information exclusively from official and reliable sources and to avoid reproducing unconfirmed information.
MV Hondius repatriations
Passengers disembarked from the MV Hondius at the weekend and began to be repatriated to their countries of origin, with 147 passengers from 23 countries aboard the ship.
Greece quarantine measures
One passenger is a Greek national who was flown from Tenerife, where the ship had docked, to the Dutch city of Eindhoven alongside 25 fellow passengers on an evacuation flight on Sunday evening. The person was then flown to Greece’s Elefsina airbase on a Greek air force jet and transferred to the Attikon university hospital on the outskirts of Athens, where they will remain in quarantine for 45 days. Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis said the person is entering quarantine for precautionary reasons only and has absolutely nothing in terms of ailments.
Turkey quarantine measures
Turkey’s health ministry confirmed that three Turkish nationals who were on board the ship have been repatriated and will be placed in quarantine upon arrival.
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