Three Canadians connected to a deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship are isolating at home in Ontario and Quebec as health officials continue to monitor the situation.
Federal officials said Thursday that all three individuals are asymptomatic. Two are isolating in Ontario and one is in Quebec after travelling home from the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena nearly two weeks ago.
Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones confirmed the two Ontario residents are being monitored closely by local public health units.
The outbreak on the expedition cruise ship has been linked to eight cases of the rodent-borne Andes virus, including three deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
The Andes virus is the only hantavirus known to spread between humans in limited situations involving close and prolonged contact.
Jones said Ontario officials are also preparing in case more passengers return home.
Jones added that health officials currently believe the two Ontarians are not a public risk.
About 150 passengers remain isolated in their cabins aboard the ship as it heads toward Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Canadian consular officials are travelling there ahead of the vessel’s expected arrival.
(Emily Chatwood)
