Canadian passenger on MV Hondius tests positive for hantavirus

The government of British Columbia announced that a Canadian passenger who had recently disembarked from the luxury cruise liner MV Hondius tested positive for hantavirus. The individual, who traveled with three other Canadians (two couples from Yukon and British Columbia), was taken to a hospital in Victoria on Vancouver Island after developing mild symptoms. He remains in stable condition and is being kept in isolation.

All four travelers were isolated immediately upon arrival and had no contact with the public during transport. Health officials noted that the virus strain identified on the ship is the Andes‑type hantavirus, which can cause severe pulmonary disease with up to 50 % mortality, but they assess the risk of wider community spread as low. The outbreak on the MV Hondius has so far resulted in 11 confirmed cases among passengers, three of whom have died.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and are conducting tests on the other isolated passengers.