Nigeria, May 5 -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed an outbreak of hantavirus infection aboard a cruise ship carrying 147 passengers and crew, following a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses reported on Tuesday.

The outbreak has so far recorded seven cases, including two laboratory-confirmed infections, five suspected cases, and three deaths.

One patient remains critically ill in intensive care, while three others have mild symptoms and are being monitored on board the vessel, currently moored off the coast of Cabo Verde.

Health authorities in Cabo Verde, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and the United Kingdom are coordinating response measures with WHO support, including isolation of symptomatic passengers, enh...