Since April 1, when the ship set sail with 147 passengers and crew members, "seven people have fallen ill, of whom three have died, one is in critical condition, and three have mild symptoms," the organization confirmed.
"Based on current information, including how hantavirus spreads, WHO assesses the risk to the global population from this event as low," the organization stated in a press release. "We are working closely with the health authorities of the countries involved and the ship operators to ensure that passengers and crew receive the information and support they need," they added.
The organization is also taking steps to locate passengers from a flight between the island of Saint Helena and Johannesburg (South Africa) on which one of the passengers who later died traveled, reports AFP.