New Delhi, May 12 -- The World Health Organization has confirmed 11 hantavirus-related cases linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, including nine confirmed infections of the Andes virus strain and two suspected cases, as health authorities continue monitoring passengers and crew evacuated from the vessel.

The outbreak has already claimed three lives, while several passengers remain in quarantine or under medical care across Europe.

Spain's health ministry on Tuesday (May 12) confirmed that a Spanish passenger evacuated from the ship had tested positive for hantavirus.

The person is currently being quarantined at a military hospital in Madrid alongside 13 other Spanish nationals evacuated from the vessel. Authorities said the remaining ...