The head of the World Health Organization arrived in Spain on Saturday, May 9, to join government officials in Tenerife to oversee the safe disembarkation of passengers on board the cruise ship where an outbreak of hantavirus started last week. 

Officials in five countries, including the United States, are already monitoring passengers who returned early from the cruise before the outbreak was announced. 

The U.S. on Friday said it’s offering to bring back American passengers on board the cruise ship at the center of the hantavirus outbreak off the west coast of Africa.

The disease has claimed three lives, while five passengers who left the ship are confirmed cases.

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.