Cruise ship hit by hantavirus departs Tenerife for Netherlands

MADRID: The cruise ship MV Hondius that has been hit by hantavirus departed the Spanish island of Tenerife bound for the Netherlands after the final six passengers and some of the crew left the ship.

Seven cases of Andes hantavirus have now been confirmed among cruise ship passengers, according to the World Health Organization.

With the newly confirmed infections, the total number of reported cases has risen to nine, the agency said on Monday.

A WHO spokesperson said the update came after France reported that one of its citizens onboard the MV Hondius had tested positive and was evacuated from the vessel.

The WHO added that two of the nine reported cases remain suspected cases of hantavirus. One of the suspected cases includes a passenger who died before testing could be carried out and is believed to be the first case linked to the outbreak.

In total, three people have died in the outbreak, the agency said.