Hunter: How many species exist, how they are transmitted, and why experts are not concerned

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization have declared that the situation is being monitored, but there is no reason for panic.

Speaking to Greek media, epidemiologist Gikas Mayokrinis from the National University of Athens said that the transmission of this virus from person to person is the extremely limited “” and requires very close and extended contact.

“We are not at risk of a hantavirus pandemic”, he said, adding that there is no high risk of spreading outside the tourist ship. According to experts, intavirus have been available for thousands of years and are transmitted mainly by rodents. South America circulates the so - called “virus of the New World”, including the Andes virus, which relates to more severe respiratory forms and higher rates of mortality. In Europe, however, hantavirus forms are considered easier and are not transmitted from man to man. Mayorkinis stressed that the mortality rate for Latin American species may range from 10 to 30%, though figures may be overrated due to cases undiagnosed with mild symptoms.

According to the World Health Organization, between 10,000 and 100,000 cases of hantavirus worldwide are recorded each year, with varying severity depending on the strain of the virus.

Experts explain that there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for hantavirus, and that treatment of patients remains largely supportive. Symptoms usually appear from one to eight weeks after exposure and include fever, fatigue, respiratory problems, and, in some cases, kidney damage. Health authorities recommend avoiding contact with rodents, using gloves and masks during cleaning up closed facilities and cleaning hygiene, especially in rural areas or places where there may be traces of rodents.