Passengers on hantavirus-hit ship deemed high-risk contacts

Eight people have fallen ill, including three who died - a Dutch couple and a German national - the World Health Organization said on Friday. Six of the eight are confirmed to have contracted the virus, with another two suspected cases, the WHO has said.Although at disembarkation passengers will be considered high-risk, not all will necessarily be classified as high-risk upon return to their home countries, the ECDC said. Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska speaks to the media at the port of Granadilla de Abona. REUTERSThe agency urged symptomatic passengers to be prioritised for medical assessment and testing on arrival, adding they may isolate in Tenerife or be medically evacuated home, depending on their condition.Usually, the virus is spread by rodents but can, in rare cases, be transmitted person to person. Health authorities have said the risk of the virus spreading is low.