No Canadians had known direct contact with hantavirus on ship: B.C. health official

She said the four people are a couple in their 70s from the Yukon, a person in their 70s from Vancouver Island, and a person from B.C. in their 50s who lives abroad.

Henry said they were isolating in three separate locations, with the Vancouver Island person back at their home, and all would receive daily monitoring.

While all people on the MV Hondius were being regarded as “higher-risk contacts,” the four who are arrived in B.C. were in the “low-risk spectrum” of that category, Henry said.

She said another two passengers on the ship were from Ontario, while four other people in Canada are regarded as potential contacts, and all are asymptomatic for the rodent-borne illness.

Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer said last week that three Canadians — a couple from Ontario who were on the cruise and a person from Quebec who was not — were on the same flight to Johannesburg as a symptomatic person on April 25 before returning to Canada on April 26 and April 27, respectively.

The Quebec provincial health department said in a statement Monday that the isolation period is over for their resident.

Marie-Claude Lacasse, communications director with the provincial health department, says their contact with hantavirus on the flight was considered “low risk” and they are showing no symptoms.

Lacasse says the person will monitor themself for 42 days post trip.

However, the number of positive cases internationally has grown since the evacuation of the ship with American and French officials confirming two more on Monday.

That brings the total number of deaths to three and cases to seven, the World Health Organization said Monday.

Officials said the travellers who returned to Canada were all asymptomatic before they took off in a plane chartered by the Public Health Agency of Canada and Global Affairs Canada, with support from the Canadian Armed Forces.

Henry said the arrival of the four cruise passengers in B.C. was “seamless and smooth” and they were screened and assessed by health staff dressed in protective gear.

She said the passengers under quarantine were not subject to legal orders to isolate, calling that a “last resort” if someone was in breach of their isolation.

“But we don’t do that unless we absolutely need to,” she said.

She said the four “can go out for a walk but not around other people … these are very reasonable people.”

“I have no concerns that people are going to run off and go to a party,” she added, saying they must wear a mask when someone comes to their door, and they should have no close personal contacts.

— With files from Allison Jones

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 11, 2026.

Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.

Hannah Alberga and Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

No Canadians had known direct contact with hantavirus on ship: B.C. health official

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