The Ministry of Health has prepared a dedicated response plan for potential Andes virus (ANDV/hantavirus) cases in Cyprus following the international incident linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, and has notified all General Health System doctors accordingly.
The plan, drawn up on May 12, details the procedures to be triggered if a suspected case is identified on the island. The Ministry says the risk to the general population remains extremely low — there is no indication the virus has established itself in Europe, and human-to-human transmission remains rare — but adds that the severity of the disease and the possibility of rapid deterioration make full operational readiness necessary.
If a suspected case or exposure is identified, the Ministry activates a national coordination mechanism through a dedicated protocol called the LITHO plan. Alongside the Ministry of Health, participating bodies include the State Health Services Organisation (SHSO), Nicosia General Hospital, the Ambulance Service, the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, the Police, and Civil Defence.
A suspect case is defined as any person who has travelled or come into contact with a passenger or crew member of MV Hondius and presents with fever alongside myalgia, gastrointestinal, or respiratory symptoms.
The plan divides contacts into two categories. High-risk contacts include people who shared a room or cabin with a confirmed case, partners, anyone who remained within two metres of a suspect case for more than 15 minutes, healthcare workers without appropriate protective equipment, and aircraft passengers seated near a suspect case.
High-risk contacts face strict 42-day home self-confinement. In terms of movement, they must use a separate room at home and avoid public transport entirely. In terms of protective measures, they must wear a medical mask and submit to daily symptom monitoring under public health authority supervision. If symptoms develop, immediate isolation and medical assessment follow.
Low-risk contacts undergo passive self-monitoring for six weeks with no restrictions on daily activities.
Nicosia General Hospital is designated as the sole reference hospital for suspected or confirmed ANDV cases. Other public or private hospitals are not to admit such patients — their role is limited to identifying, temporarily isolating, and arranging safe transfer.
The plan mandates single isolation rooms, masks, protective gowns and goggles, dedicated decontamination protocols, restricted staff access, strict hand hygiene, and negative pressure chambers where available. Patients are prohibited from using public transport or making their own way to accident and emergency departments.
Laboratory confirmation will be carried out through serological tests and RT-PCR, with metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) used where required. The Immunology Laboratory at Nicosia General Hospital and the Molecular Virology Department at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics are responsible for testing.
All public announcements will be issued exclusively by the Ministry of Health to prevent panic and misinformation.
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