Hantavirus outbreak risk to public 'absolutely low': WHO

AI Summary

The World Health Organization announced that the public risk from a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship is very low, emphasizing that transmission requires very close contact among individuals. The WHO's assessment aims to alleviate public concern over the virus’s spread.

The World Health Organization said Friday the risk to the public of a deadly hantavirus strain in a cruise ship outbreak was minimal, as it spreads only through "very close contact."