Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

Five of eight infection cases registered on the cruise ship MV Hondius have been confirmed as hantavirus involving the Andes virus, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Thursday. The outbreak has resulted in three deaths, with the remaining three cases considered suspected.

The Andes virus, found primarily in South America, is the only known hantavirus species capable of limited human-to-human transmission through close and prolonged contact. Given the incubation period of up to six weeks, Tedros noted that more cases may be reported, but emphasized that while this is a serious incident, WHO assesses the public health risk as low.

The vessel is currently sailing toward the Canary Islands, where evacuation is expected to begin. Passengers are being asked to remain in their cabins during disinfection, and anyone developing symptoms will be isolated immediately. WHO has deployed an expert on board and arranged shipment of 2,500 diagnostic kits from Argentina to laboratories in five countries.