NEW DELHI: The World Health Organization (WHO) is continuing to monitor a multi-country outbreak of Andes hantavirus linked to the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, as health authorities across several countries track passengers and crew members who may have been exposed to the virus.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), 11 cases — including nine confirmed and two probable infections — have been reported so far, with three deaths linked to the outbreak. Officials said the virus involved is the Andes strain, one of the few hantavirus variants capable of limited human-to-human transmission through close and prolonged contact.

The outbreak emerged aboard the MV Hondius after passengers developed severe respiratory symptoms during the voyage. The ship later docked in Tenerife, Spain, where authorities coordinated large-scale evacuation and repatriation efforts involving travelers from more than 20 countries.

WHO, CDC, UK Health Security Agency, and European health agencies have stressed that the overall public risk remains low and there is currently no indication of widespread community transmission. However, officials warned that additional cases could emerge due to the virus’s incubation period and ongoing contact tracing operations.

Health authorities worldwide are continuing surveillance, testing, and quarantine monitoring measures as investigations into the source and transmission dynamics of the outbreak remain underway.