Hantavirus cases linked to cruise ship outbreak rise to 13

The latest case is among one of the Spanish passengers who was in quarantine. Specialist workers in full PPE carry boxes containing hazardous waste as they begin the process of disinfecting the cruise ship MV Hondius after it docked in the Port of Rotterdam. | Omar Havana/Getty Images 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 patient is one of the Spanish passengers who was in quarantine, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, said on social media . health agency had previously warned more cases were likely, given it can take up to six weeks to develop symptoms. "The situation remains stable. Passengers who got sick are receiving needed care, while others remain in quarantine," Tedros added. 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. It triggered a global search for the cruise's passengers who had already disembarked and activated disease-prevention measures across multiple countries. European public health authorities coordinated the evacuation of all passengers and crew over the past two weeks from Tenerife and the Netherlands, helping them be repatriated, tested and placed under quarantine. The ship, which had docked in Rotterdam, was set to depart for Vlissingen, in the Netherlands, but its departure was delayed after authorities said it needed additional cleaning, the boat's tour operator said . In total, 13 cases have been reported, including 11 confirmed and two probable. Spain reported the 13th case on Monday, saying the patient had been in isolation at the Gómez Ulla military hospital in Madrid. No deaths have been reported since May 2. Other cases include a Dutch crew member , passengers from Switzerland , France , Canada , Spain and the U.K .

Key points

• The patient is one of the Spanish passengers who was in quarantine, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, said on social media .
• health agency had previously warned more cases were likely, given it can take up to six weeks to develop symptoms.
• "The situation remains stable.
• Passengers who got sick are receiving needed care, while others remain in quarantine," Tedros added.
• 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.