A cruise ship struck by a rare hantavirus outbreak is set to sail to Spain after health authorities confirmed the presence of the Andes strain, a variant known for its potential to spread between humans. The vessel, carrying around 150 passengers and crew, had been stranded off the coast of Cape Verde following multiple infections and fatalities.

According to reports, at least three people have died while several others have fallen ill, prompting urgent international health coordination. The World Health Organization has been closely monitoring the situation, noting that although the outbreak is serious, the risk to the wider public remains low.

The Andes strain, typically found in South America, is particularly concerning because—unlike most hantaviruses—it can, in rare cases, be transmitted from person to person through close contact.

Experts believe the initial infections may have occurred before the voyage began, possibly during earlier travel in endemic regions.

Spanish authorities have agreed to receive the ship in the Canary Islands, where passengers will undergo screening, treatment, and repatriation procedures.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about infectious disease risks in confined travel environments, as global health agencies work to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.