GENEVA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Five of the eight cases reported from the cruise ship MV Hondius have been confirmed as hantavirus infections, and the virus involved is the Andes virus, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Thursday.

The outbreak aboard the cruise ship has infected eight people and resulted in three deaths. Tedros said during an online briefing that five symptomatic individuals have been laboratory-confirmed, while three others remain suspected cases.

None of the remaining passengers or crew on the ship is currently symptomatic, Tedros said, noting that the WHO is aware of reports of other people with symptoms who may have had contact with one of the passengers, and each case remains in close contact with the relevant authorities.

The Andes virus, a rare hantavirus found mainly in South America, is a rodent-borne virus capable of limited human-to-human transmission. Previous outbreaks showed transmission typically occurred through close and prolonged contact, particularly among household members and healthcare workers.

"Given the incubation period for the Andes virus, which can be up to six weeks, it's possible that more cases may be reported," Tedros said, adding that the WHO has assessed the overall public health risk as low.

The ship is currently sailing for the Canary Islands. Passengers abroad have been asked to remain in their cabins while being disinfected. Anyone who develops symptoms will be isolated immediately. ■