A luxury cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak is raising questions about the potentially deadly illness.
The ship, which was due to head to Spain, was marooned for days off the coast of Cape Verde with close to 150 people on board. Three people aboard died of suspected infections, while others are receiving care.
Here's what else to know about the infection.
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that naturally infect rodents, sometimes long‑term without apparent illness, and are occasionally transmitted to humans, according to the World Health Organization.
"Although many hantavirus species have been identified worldwide, only a limited number are known to cause human disease," the WHO adds.
