A cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak has arrived off the coast of Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands, where passengers and some crew members are set to be evacuated under strict health measures.

The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, carrying more than 140 people of over 20 nationalities, is remaining at anchor rather than docking, with disembarkation to be carried out using small boats.

The World Health Organization (WHO), Spanish authorities and operator Oceanwide Expeditions said no one currently onboard is showing symptoms. However, three people have died since the outbreak, and five passengers who previously left the vessel have been infected with hantavirus, which can cause severe illness.

Authorities said all passengers and crew will be screened for symptoms before being evacuated, and will only be transferred once dedicated evacuation flights are ready. Those leaving the ship will not have any contact with the local population.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, along with Spain’s health and interior ministers, is overseeing the evacuation process.

Hantavirus is typically transmitted through inhalation of particles from rodent droppings and does not usually spread between people. However, the Andes strain detected in this outbreak may allow limited human-to-human transmission in rare cases. Symptoms can appear between one and eight weeks after exposure.

Evacuation flights are expected to take place on Sunday and Monday, according to WHO officials. The United States and the United Kingdom have agreed to send aircraft to repatriate their citizens, with American passengers to be quarantined at a medical facility in Nebraska.

Spanish nationals on board will be transferred to a local medical facility for quarantine. Oceanwide said there are 13 Spanish passengers and one Spanish crew member among those onboard.

Passengers will be required to leave their luggage behind and may only carry essential items, including a small bag, mobile phone, charger and documents.

Some crew members, along with the body of a deceased passenger, will remain on the vessel, which is scheduled to sail to the Netherlands for disinfection after the evacuation is completed, Spanish authorities said.