The Department of Health (DOH) has reassured the public that Hantavirus is not a new illness.
This follows reports that three passengers aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean died due to a suspected hantavirus outbreak.
In an interview, DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Albert Domingo said the disease is rare and is typically contracted through exposure to rodent droppings or urine carrying the virus.
He added that there are currently no recorded cases of hantavirus in the Philippines.
While there have been past reports of possible cases in the country, the agency said it has not been fully convinced by those findings.
Domingo also advised the public not to panic, assuring that the DOH is closely monitoring the situation, along with the Bureau of Quarantine, for any necessary measures.
