Irish passenger Ann Lane, one of two Irish nationals on board the MV Hondius cruise ship, has spoken about the "shock" she experienced learning of the deaths of fellow passengers. Lane said that the first person died before docking and was left on the ship for several days. The World Health Organization has confirmed that the outbreak is linked to a rare strain of hantavirus that can spread from human to human. Three passengers have died and several others are showing symptoms. The cruise ship's operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, has removed three individuals from the ship and is now en route to Spain's Canary Islands, where the Ministry of Health will welcome it in accordance with international law.