North Korea Alerts Public Over Hantavirus Outbreak

(MENAFN) North Korea has issued a public health warning about hantavirus infections following reports of an outbreak linked to a cruise ship, according to state media.

A state-run newspaper said on Monday that hantavirus cases are “causing concern in the international community,” highlighting growing global attention on the disease.

The warning comes after reports of an outbreak aboard a cruise vessel, where eight infections were recorded, including three deaths earlier this month. The strain identified was the Andes variant, which is considered the only known form of hantavirus capable of limited human-to-human transmission, typically through close and prolonged contact.

International health authorities, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have reportedly activated an emergency response level and established a dedicated task force to monitor the situation.

The North Korean report said multiple countries are closely tracking the spread of hantavirus infections and strengthening surveillance measures. It also noted that African states are maintaining heightened vigilance as global coordination efforts continue to contain potential risks.

In addition to hantavirus concerns, the report drew attention to a broader rise in measles cases worldwide, citing outbreaks in countries such as South Africa, Japan, and Bangladesh, where hundreds of child deaths have been reported since mid-March, according to the same account.

MENAFN12052026000045017640ID1111103506