World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced Sunday that the global hantavirus situation remains stable, with 12 confirmed cases and three deaths reported to date.

The WHO chief indicated that no additional confirmed deaths have occurred since May 2, suggesting the outbreak may be contained. The initial outbreak is believed to have originated in South America, according to WHO reports.

Separately, researchers in the United States have documented the presence of the Sin Nombre virus, a type of hantavirus, in rodent populations across the Pacific Northwest. The research findings indicate a significant portion of rodents in the region are carrying the virus.

Hantaviruses are typically transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. The Sin Nombre virus specifically has been associated with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory condition.

The WHO continues to monitor the global situation while research into the virus's prevalence in North American rodent populations provides additional data on the pathogen's distribution. Health officials have not indicated any direct connection between the South American outbreak and the Pacific Northwest research findings.