The MV Hondius is expected to sail to the Canary Islands after Spain agreed to receive the vessel on humanitarian grounds

A cruise ship hit by a suspected hantavirus outbreak that has killed three people will head to Spain's Canary Islands after authorities granted permission for it to dock, the Spanish government has confirmed.

In a statement on Tuesday, Madrid said the move followed a request from the World Health Organization (WHO), in coordination with the EU, and was made in line with international law and humanitarian principles. Spain said Cape Verde, where the vessel is currently located, cannot carry out the operation and that the Canary Islands is the nearest location with the required capacity.

The Dutch-flagged vessel, the MV Hondius, has been anchored off Cape Verde after several people fell ill during a voyage that began in Ushuaia, Argentina, in March and included stops in Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and other locations.

Around 147 passengers and crew from 23 countries are on board, according to health authorities.

"Since 1 April when the boat set sail, of the 147 passengers and crew, seven people have become ill, among whom three have died, one is critically ill and three are reporting mild symptoms," the WHO said.

The UN health body said the outbreak poses a low risk to the global population, citing current information on how hantavirus spreads.

READ MORE: Rare virus outbreak kills travelers on Atlantic cruise ship

A British passenger who was evacuated earlier remains in intensive care in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Two crew members, one British and one Dutch, are being prepared for urgent medical evacuation via Cape Verde to the Netherlands, Oceanwide Expeditions, the company operating the vessel, said on Tuesday. Another person linked to a passenger who died on May 2 is also expected to be evacuated.

Cape Verde's Health Ministry said medical teams had boarded the ship and that patients would be evacuated by air ambulance before the vessel resumes its journey. Passengers have been told to remain in their cabins while disinfection and other public health measures are carried out.

The ship is expected to arrive in the next three to four days, with the port still to be determined, the Spanish government has said.

Hantavirus infections are usually linked to exposure to the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents.

The WHO said rare human-to-human transmission may have occurred among close contacts aboard the ship, while testing continues to identify the strain involved.

(RT.com)