Health officials across several continents are working urgently to trace and monitor passengers who left a cruise ship before a deadly hantavirus outbreak was fully identified. The ship, which departed from South America, became the center of international concern after multiple passengers fell seriously ill. Authorities believe the outbreak may have started during a bird-watching trip in Argentina taken by a Dutch couple before they boarded the vessel. Since symptoms can take weeks to appear, health agencies are now racing to identify everyone who may have been exposed.

Three passengers have died so far, including the Dutch couple and a German woman, while several others remain under medical care. The first confirmed hantavirus case linked to the ship was officially identified on May 2, weeks after the first death occurred onboard. More than two dozen passengers from different countries had already disembarked earlier without contact tracing measures in place. Despite the concern, health experts say the overall risk to the public remains low.

Passengers who left the ship have since traveled across countries including South Africa, Switzerland, Singapore, and the Netherlands. Some are now in isolation while authorities trace potential contacts from flights and local communities. Investigators are especially focused on a rare strain called Andes virus, one of the few hantaviruses believed capable of spreading between people.

The cruise vessel is currently heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands with over 140 passengers and crew still onboard. International health organizations continue monitoring the situation closely while scientists in Argentina investigate whether infected rodents near Ushuaia may be linked to the outbreak. Officials say cooperation between countries will be critical in preventing further spread.