Medical personnel have now boarded the MV Hondius cruise ship to remove two passengers infected with hantavirus, the World Health Organisation confirmed today.The global health body indicated transmission between individuals in close proximity may be taking place aboard the Dutch-flagged vessel.However, authorities believe those affected initially contracted the virus before embarking on the cruise.The WHO stated: “Based on the current information, including how hantavirus spreads, WHO assesses the risk to the global population from this event as low.”The Foreign Office described the circumstances as ‘a deeply worrying time for all those on board the MV Hondius’ | GETTYReuters reported the organisation is closely monitoring the situation while coordinating with relevant national health authorities.The outbreak has claimed three lives since the expedition voyage departed Argentina bound for Cape Verde on 1 April.A British passenger remains critically ill in intensive care, while a fellow countryman serving as crew requires urgent medical attention and is among those being evacuated.Health officials have identified seven cases in total aboard the vessel.Two infections have been laboratory confirmed, including a British national currently receiving treatment in South Africa and a Dutch woman who passed away on April 27 following her disembarkation.Five additional cases remain under investigation as suspected hantavirus infections.The WHO emphasised it is collaborating with health authorities from the nations involved alongside the ship’s operators to ensure all passengers and crew receive appropriate information and assistance.Following the evacuation of the two infected individuals, the MV Hondius will proceed onwards to the Canary Islands.The organisation maintained whilst some person-to-person spread appears to be occurring in confined quarters, the broader public faces minimal danger from this outbreak.Officials continue to assess the evolving situation, although their position on the limited global threat posed by the incident remains unchanged as of today’s update.The WHO is closely monitoring the situation | GETTYThe Foreign Office described the circumstances as “a deeply worrying time for all those onboard the MV Hondius and the families of those affected by the hantavirus outbreak”.Consular teams from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have been mobilised across multiple locations to assist British nationals caught up in the crisis.Staff in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Spain and Portugal are working continuously with international partners and the cruise operator.FCDO personnel are maintaining contact with relatives of the British man hospitalised in South Africa, who had been travelling as a passenger on the stricken vessel before his condition deteriorated.