90-Second Read: Hantavirus cases linked to cruise ship outbreak rise to 13

The number of Hantavirus cases linked to an outbreak aboard a cruise ship has now reached 13, the World Health Organization said Wednesday, after Spain reported one more case. The outbreak of the rodent-borne disease was first reported on May 3 aboard the MV Hondius, which was carrying 150 passengers, and has caused three deaths. In total, 13 cases have been reported, including 11 confirmed and two probable.

It triggered a global search for the cruise's passengers who had already disembarked and activated disease-prevention measures across multiple countries. Spain reported the 13th case on Monday, saying the patient had been in isolation at the Gómez Ulla military hospital in Madrid. Other cases include a Dutch crew member, passengers from Switzerland, France, Canada, Spain and the U.K.

The variant involved in this outbreak, the Andes subtype, is the only one known to spread between humans. The number of cases is likely to be far higher than currently reported, WHO warns. The latest case is among one of the Spanish passengers who was in quarantine.