Yukon Canadian Tests Positive for Hantavirus
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- Canadian from Yukon tested presumptively positive for hantavirus after returning from cruise ship MV Hondius, according to BC health officer Bonnie Henry.
- MV Hondius experienced a hantavirus outbreak in April, resulting in 11 infected passengers and three deaths, two of which were confirmed to have the virus.
- British Columbia health officials said the four isolated Canadians have had no public contact since arriving in Canada and may extend isolation to 42 days per WHO guidance.
- WHO recommends 42 days of isolation for hantavirus exposure and notes the virus has low pandemic potential, distinct from Covid, flu, and measles.
- Six Canadians were on the ship; two are self‑isolating in Ontario, two couples on Vancouver Island, and the remaining five have not tested positive.
Why it matters: The positive test forces BC health officials to potentially double isolation for the four Canadians, extending their stay in isolation and straining resources, while confirming the outbreak’s toll of 11 cases and three deaths.
