Pyongyang: North Korea has issued a warning to its citizens regarding hantavirus, following an outbreak connected to a cruise ship.

According to Anadolu Agency, the state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported that hantavirus infections are raising concerns within the international community.

A confirmed outbreak of the hantavirus occurred aboard a cruise ship, resulting in eight reported cases, including three fatalities earlier this month. The Andes strain, the only known hantavirus variant capable of human-to-human transmission, was identified, typically spreading through close contact. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified this outbreak as a Level 3 emergency response and has initiated an emergency task force to address the situation.

The report mentioned that many countries are responding vigilantly to the hantavirus spread. African nations, in particular, are monitoring the situation closely as the international community works to coordinate response measures aiming to contain the virus.

Additionally, the report highlighted a global increase in measles cases, noting significant outbreaks in South Africa, Japan, and Bangladesh, where 409 children have died since mid-March. It also referenced a new coronavirus strain detected in bats in Thailand, which is believed to have lower pathogenicity and transmission potential compared to COVID-19.