Ankara: US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the hantavirus is "not easily transferable, unlike COVID," in an effort to reassure the public as health authorities in various countries are working to contain an outbreak connected to a cruise ship.

According to Anadolu Agency, the president emphasized that US authorities have been briefed and are closely monitoring the situation. He expressed confidence by stating, "We seem to have things under very good control. They know the virus very well. It's been around a long time, not easily transferable, unlike COVID, but we'll see." Trump assured that "very good people" are studying the outbreak closely and expressed hope regarding the situation.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classified the hantavirus outbreak as a 'Level 3' emergency response, which is the lowest level of emergency activation, as reported by ABC News on Thursday. The outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus and has resulted in five confirmed cases, including three deaths, among passengers linked to a voyage, according to World Health Organization officials.

The MV Hondius, which was carrying approximately 150 passengers and crew from 23 nationalities, departed from Argentina and crossed the Atlantic. The vessel reported a cluster of respiratory illnesses while sailing off Cape Verde, prompting the current health response.