As is known, the cruise ship season has begun at the Port of Riga, with a total of 103 visits planned.
It is expected that together with the ferries, Riga will be visited by no less than 135,000 cruise tourists. How dangerous is this in light of the recent hantavirus outbreak recorded on the international cruise ship Hondius?
The first opinions on this matter were shared by the Estonian brothers, the main organizers of cruises in the Baltic countries.
"The risk of an outbreak of hantavirus associated with the cruise ship spreading in the country is low," noted the Estonian Health Department, adding that they are closely monitoring the situation.
As we have already mentioned, hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that are primarily transmitted through inhalation of dust contaminated with dried urine, feces, or saliva of rodents. The virus can also be transmitted from person to person. The main natural reservoir of the virus is located in South America.
You can read about Estonian cruises to Riga here https://bb.lv/statja/nasha-latvija/2026/05/05/vedushhaia-sudoxodnaia-kompaniia-zapustit-tri-probnyx-reisa-v-rigu
