PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) says the risk of infection of the hantavirus is low in the Caribbean region.

“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean region is considered low. In the Americas, hantaviruses are most commonly transmitted by wild field rodents rather than urban rat populations, where transmission is less likely,” said CARPHA’s executive director, Dr Lisa Indar, pointing out also that although human-to-human transmission of hantavirus is possible, it is rare.

The St Kitts and Nevis Government says one of its nationals was among the passengers aboard the stricken vessel, MV Hondius, but that “there are currently no reported or suspected cases of hantavirus in St Kitts and Nevis”.