The World Health Organization has confirmed that hantavirus has not mutated to become more transmissible between humans, with officials stating the overall risk to the public remains low.

Meanwhile, health officials in New York's Ontario County are investigating a suspected hantavirus case. Local authorities have emphasized there is no risk to the general public from this particular case and that it has no connection to any previous outbreaks.

Hantavirus is a rare viral infection typically transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine, or saliva. The virus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory illness that can be fatal if untreated.

Health officials in various countries continue to monitor different strains of hantavirus, including the Andes strain, which has been studied for its transmission characteristics. Research has examined how long the virus can persist in different environments and bodily fluids.

The WHO's statement comes amid ongoing surveillance efforts to track potential changes in the virus's behavior and transmission patterns. Public health experts regularly assess whether viral pathogens have undergone mutations that could affect their spread or severity.