New Delhi, May 8 -- The Union Health Ministry has activated precautionary surveillance and monitoring mechanisms in response to reported cases of hantavirus infection onboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, while maintaining that the global public health risk has been assessed as low by international health authorities.

According to sources, the Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the evolving situation relating to reported cases of hantavirus infection onboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, in coordination with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), World Health Organisation (WHO), and other international health authorities.

Preliminary information shared through WHO indicates...