NNA - The Ministry of Public Health said in a statement on Saturday that it is "closely monitoring, in coordination with the World Health Organization office in Lebanon, recent developments related to limited cases of Hantavirus reported in some regions around the world."

The ministry explained that hantavirus is a rare disease mainly transmitted through exposure to infected rodents’ secretions, including urine, feces, or saliva, particularly via inhalation of contaminated airborne particles in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. "Human-to-human transmission is rare and requires close and prolonged contact," the ministry statement reassured.

It emphasized, based on WHO's assessment, that the current situation does not constitute a public health emergency, and that the organization continues epidemiological monitoring and risk assessment, with the overall risk level considered low so far.

"In recent years, there have been a limited number of Hantavirus outbreaks, all of which have been contained through enhanced epidemiological surveillance and appropriate preventive and response measures, with no cases reported in Lebanon," the statement maintained. 

Finally, the Public Health Ministry emphasized the importance of relying on official sources for virus-related information and avoiding the spread of rumors.