The possibility of a human-to-human transmission of the hantavirus ¡ª?the deadly virus that fatally infected some passengers on a luxury cruise ship ¡ª?is low, even if an infected patient were to enter the country, the health ministry said Wednesday.

¡°This risk assessment indicates that a human-to-human transmission of the hantavirus has not been reported ¡ª?except for certain strains of the virus ¡ª?and that transmission can be controlled through appropriate measures,¡± the health ministry said in a statement, based on an evaluation made by the Japan Institute for Health Security.?

¡°Therefore, even if an infected passenger were to enter Japan, the likelihood of widespread, domestic person-to-person transmission is considered low,¡± the statement added.