Baku: In connection with reports circulating in the international information space in recent days regarding hantavirus infection, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan informs the public that the epidemiological situation in the country remains stable and there are no grounds for concern, the Ministry of Health told APA.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the World Health Organization (WHO) is coordinating preventive and rapid response measures together with various countries within the framework of the International Health Regulations. The statement highlights that hantavirus infection typically occurs through contact with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents, or by inhaling dust contaminated with rodent excretions. Human-to-human transmission is rare and has primarily been linked to the Andes strain in the Americas.

Azerbaijan is not considered an endemic region for hantavirus, and the virus has not been detected among rodents living in the country. Consequently, hantavirus infection is not included in routine laboratory testing panels in Azerbaijan. However, the country has the technical capability to conduct hantavirus testing in specialized laboratories for both human and animal health. The Ministry of Health adheres to WHO recommendations on this matter and maintains close cooperation with the organization. Should the need arise, for instance, if individuals with relevant clinical symptoms arrive from high-risk countries, examinations will be conducted according to clinical protocols.

The Ministry of Health urges the public to rely only on official sources, as the epidemiological situation remains under control. The current situation does not pose any additional risk to the country's population, the statement concluded.