Canadian consular officials are travelling to the Canary Islands to meet four Canadians aboard the MV Hondius, a cruise ship linked to a deadly outbreak of the rodent-borne Andes virus, a type of hantavirus that has killed three people, according to the World Health Organization.
The federal government says three other people connected to the cruise are now isolating at home in Ontario and Quebec. Officials said they are not showing symptoms.
Authorities have not confirmed when or where those individuals entered Canada. They have also not said whether public health officials plan to hold a media briefing on the situation.
Canadians on MV Hondius Await Consular Support
The MV Hondius is expected to dock this weekend in Granadilla, Tenerife, where Spanish authorities are preparing to receive more than 140 passengers and crew members who have remained in isolation on board.
Those passengers and crew are described as asymptomatic, meaning they have not shown signs of illness. Spanish officials are expected to manage their arrival under public health measures as the outbreak investigation continues.
The presence of four Canadians on the ship has triggered a consular response from Ottawa, though the federal government has released limited details about their condition or the support being provided.
WHO Reports Eight Cases and Three Deaths
The World Health Organization has said it received reports of eight cases linked to the outbreak, including three deaths.
The virus involved is the Andes virus, a hantavirus typically associated with exposure to infected rodents. Health authorities say more cases could still appear in the coming weeks because symptoms may take time to develop after exposure.
Hantavirus Outbreak Not Expected to Become Epidemic
Despite the severity of the outbreak, the WHO has said hantaviruses do not spread easily between people. Officials also said the cruise ship outbreak is unlikely to become an epidemic.
Public health authorities are expected to continue monitoring passengers, crew and close contacts connected to the MV Hondius as the ship reaches Tenerife and more information becomes available.
