Five of the eight cases reported from the cruise ship MV Hondius were confirmed as hantavirus infection, and the virus involved is the Andes virus, said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Thursday.
The outbreak aboard the cruise ship has infected eight people and resulted in three deaths, Tedros told a press conference.
"So far, eight cases have been reported, including three deaths. Five of the eight cases have been confirmed as hantavirus, and the other three are suspected," he said.
The virus involved is the Andes virus, according to Tedros.
"The species of hantavirus involved in this case is the Andes virus -- which is found in Latin America and is the only species known to be capable of limited transmission between humans," he said.
The Andes virus, a rare hantavirus found mainly in South America, is a rodent-borne virus capable of limited human-to-human transmission. Previous outbreaks showed transmission typically occurred through close and prolonged contact, particularly among household members and healthcare workers.
Tedros noted that given the incubation period for the Andes virus, which can be up to six weeks, "it's possible that more cases may be reported."
But he stressed that, "While this is a serious incident, WHO assesses the public health risk as low."
The ship is currently sailing for the Canary Islands. Passengers abroad have been asked to remain in their cabins while being disinfected. Anyone who develops symptoms will be isolated immediately.
The director-general noted that the WHO is aware of reports of other people with symptoms who may have had contact with one of the passengers, and each case remains in close contact with the relevant authorities.
"Our priorities are to ensure the affected patients receive care, that the remaining passengers on the ship are kept safe and treated with dignity, and to prevent any further spread of the virus," he said.
Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship involves Andes virus: WHO
