The Ministry of Health of Moldova assured the public that the Republic of Moldova faces no risk following the hantavirus cases reported internationally. Emil Ceban made the statements before the government meeting in the context of the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, where three people died.
“I want to assure you that the Republic of Moldova faces no risk,” the Health Minister stated.
The official explained that hantavirus does not spread from person to person and infects humans only through contact with rodents or their excrement.
“It is a virus transmitted exclusively by rodents, most commonly rats. It does not spread from person to person, and humans can become infected only when they ingest dust or food products contaminated with rodent excrement,” Emil Ceban specified.
According to the minister, the virus can cause different forms of damage to the body, including severe pulmonary complications.
Emil Ceban also stated that authorities are monitoring the situation and that no cases of hantavirus have been confirmed in the Republic of Moldova so far.
“Today, in the Republic of Moldova, we are keeping this situation under control. We have recorded no cases. We have registered no infections with this virus, and we hope there will be no infections,” the minister said.
The topic returned to public attention after authorities confirmed seven hantavirus cases aboard the MV Hondius, operated by the Oceanwide Expeditions, with three fatalities reported. The World Health Organization confirmed the information.
At the same time, health authorities in Ukraine announced that they record dozens of hantavirus infections annually and emphasized that the virus spreads exclusively from rodents to humans.