European health authorities have reported that there is no evidence of mutation in the hantavirus linked to a recent cruise ship outbreak, easing concerns that the respiratory virus may have become more transmissible. The update comes as a United States patient, who was earlier treated as a suspected case, has now been medically cleared of infection.

Officials from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said genome sequencing of the virus shows it closely matches previously identified strains from South America. Experts noted that all available genetic sequences remain “virtually identical,” indicating no change in the virus’s transmissibility or severity compared to earlier outbreaks.

According to microbiology expert Andreas Hoefer of the ECDC, current data does not suggest any increased risk from the virus. He said the genetic analysis indicates the infection likely originated in South America before spreading to passengers aboard the cruise ship Hondius. Health officials also noted that while the virus is not known to be highly contagious between humans, there may be a short window before symptoms appear during which limited transmission risk cannot be fully ruled out.

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The World Health Organization and the ECDC are jointly tracking contacts across multiple countries as part of ongoing investigations into the outbreak. The cluster has so far been linked to 10 cases, including eight confirmed infections and two probable cases, with three deaths reported among those affected.

One US-based patient treated at the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit was later cleared and moved to quarantine after testing negative, according to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Meanwhile, Italian health authorities confirmed that a 25-year-old man previously isolated after suspected exposure also tested negative, reducing concerns of wider transmission.

A passenger in France remains in critical condition and is receiving advanced life-support treatment, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Doctors treating the patient said she continues to be closely monitored as investigators work to determine how the outbreak spread aboard the cruise ship and whether any additional cases may emerge.

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