Health authorities and the World Health Organization have clarified that a current hantavirus outbreak does not constitute the beginning of an epidemic or pandemic. The WHO issued this statement to counter growing concern following reports of cases in South America. Argentina is dispatching approximately 2,500 hantavirus detection kits to five countries as a precautionary measure. Hantavirus is transmitted primarily through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, not through person-to-person contact. There are no reported cases in Crete or Greece linked to this outbreak. Tourists visiting Crete are not at risk from this situation. Standard hygiene precautions apply as always: avoid contact with wild rodents, do not handle dead animals, and wash hands regularly, particularly in rural or natural areas.
