O B S: The number of confirmed cases of hantavirus increases to five

Tedros Ghebraesus told reporters eight cases of the virus, with five confirmed cases and three suspected cases, reports SkyNews.

The type of Andes hantavirus that is causing this explosion is likely to be transmitted between family members, intimate partners and people offering medical care, he says.

None of the passengers or crew currently left aboard MV Hondius have symptoms.

But it is possible to report more cases of the virus due to the virus' incubation period of up to six weeks, Ghebraeses says.