France, May 8 -- The outbreak aboard the Dutch-operated MV Hondius has drawn global attention after passengers infected with the rare Andes strain of hantavirus travelled across several countries, prompting contact tracing efforts in Europe, Africa and South America.

Health experts say the virus behaves very differently from Covid-19 and is far less contagious.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Thursday that five confirmed and three suspected cases had been reported so far, including the three deaths. Because the Andes strain can incubate for up to six weeks, he warned that "more cases may be reported".

Even so, WHO emergency alert director Abdi Rahman Mahamud said he expected "a limited outbreak" provided "public health mea...