WHO says eight MV Hondius hantavirus cases have been reported, including three deaths

Health authorities say the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship has now reached eight reported cases, including three deaths.

In a May 7 update, the World Health Organization said five of the eight cases have been laboratory-confirmed as hantavirus infections. WHO identified the strain involved as Andes virus and said the public health risk remains low.

The agency said more cases may still appear because of the incubation period. It also said it is coordinating testing, disembarkation planning and other response measures with national authorities.

The outbreak was first described in WHO's May 4 disease-outbreak notice, which listed seven cases and three deaths. Reuters later reported that countries were scrambling to trace passengers who had left the ship before the outbreak was recognized.

UK and Dutch authorities have said they are helping with the response for affected nationals, including medical evacuations. Dutch officials said the ship has been routed toward Tenerife for managed disembarkation.

The main unresolved questions are how many more passengers or crew may become ill, how the virus spread on board, and whether any of the deaths are still under final laboratory confirmation. WHO has said the wider public-health risk is low, but the cluster remains under active investigation.