Geneva: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday confirmed five hantavirus cases linked to an outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, while three additional cases are still being treated as suspected infections amid growing international concern.

Health authorities have now alerted 12 countries after passengers from the vessel disembarked earlier during the voyage at Saint Helena, a remote British territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. The countries informed include Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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Addressing a media briefing in Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency currently expects the outbreak to remain “limited” if health measures are implemented swiftly and effectively.

However, he cautioned that more infections could still emerge as authorities continue contact tracing efforts involving passengers and crew members spread across multiple countries.

WHO also announced that nearly 2,500 hantavirus diagnostic kits are being dispatched from laboratories in Argentina to five countries to support testing and containment efforts.

According to the Dutch operator Oceanwide Expeditions, there are 149 people and 23 nationalities aboard the MV Hondius.

Meanwhile, two suspected hantavirus patients evacuated from the ship remained stranded aboard a grounded air ambulance in Spain’s Canary Islands after the aircraft developed a technical malfunction. Spanish health authorities said the plane had departed from Cape Verde and was scheduled to refuel in Marrakesh before continuing to Amsterdam, but Moroccan authorities reportedly denied permission for the landing.

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"During the refuelling stop, the plane's doctor reported a failure in the patient's electrical support system," Spain's Health Ministry said in a statement.

Spain has also confirmed that it will allow the hantavirus-linked cruise vessel to dock in the Canary Islands under international humanitarian obligations.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is currently conducting a detailed risk assessment to identify passengers requiring urgent evacuation in Cape Verde. The remaining passengers and crew are expected to continue toward the Canary Islands, with arrival anticipated within the next three to four days.

What Is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious viral infection primarily spread to humans through contact with infected rodents, especially through their urine, droppings or saliva. People can become infected by inhaling virus particles released into the air from contaminated areas. The disease can cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches and breathing difficulties, and in severe cases may lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which affects the lungs and can be life-threatening. Human-to-human transmission is considered extremely rare for most hantavirus strains. IANS