4 Canadians from hantavirus-affected cruise ship in quarantine on Vancouver Island

B.C.’s chief public health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the 21-day period is the ‘minimum,’ but the isolation may extend up to 42 days if necessary.

Four Canadians linked to a hantavirus outbreak aboard the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius are now in mandatory quarantine on Vancouver Island after arriving in British Columbia through a federally co-ordinated medical evacuation effort.

The province’s top doctor says the risk to the public remains low, as health officials continue close monitoring during what they describe as a critical incubation period.

Controlled arrival and immediate isolation

The travellers arrived in B.C. on Sunday following transport on a Canadian government-chartered aircraft, accompanied by a Public Health Agency of Canada quarantine officer. All four were asymptomatic before departure and remained well upon arrival.

Upon landing at Victoria International Airport, the group did not enter the commercial passenger terminal. Airport officials confirmed the operation was conducted entirely outside normal passenger areas, with no disruption to scheduled flights or airport operations.

From the airport, the individuals were transported directly to secure, pre-arranged isolation accommodations under strict public health supervision. One of the four Canadians, who lives alone on Vancouver Island, is isolating at home under monitoring.

Public health response

The response was co-ordinated between the Public Health Agency of Canada, Global Affairs Canada, the BC Centre for Disease Control and Island Health, along with local and federal partners.

The travellers are now in a minimum 21-day isolation period, which may be extended up to 42 days, depending on the incubation period associated with hantavirus exposure. During this time, they are receiving daily monitoring, including symptom checks and wellness assessments.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry emphasized that the situation is being carefully managed and that infection control measures were in place throughout the entire repatriation process.

“Their arrival went very smoothly, I’m grateful for the support we had, and they are all now isolating in the Island Health region,” Henry said.

“These Canadians have been through a very difficult number of weeks, and it showed last night,” Henry told a news conference Monday. “They were tired, I would say exhausted but very relieved and grateful to be back here in Canada.”

Officials confirmed that screening and assessment were carried out in controlled conditions by Island Health public health teams using appropriate protective equipment.

“I want to provide assurance as well that at no point during their arrival or transfer did any of them come in contact with the public, and the health care workers that were involved were all wearing appropriate PPE at all times,” Henry added.

Monitoring during incubation period

Health officials say the current focus is careful observation, as the travellers remain within the potential incubation window.

Dr. Henry noted uncertainty around testing and timing.

“We will be monitoring and checking with our colleagues globally about when and what types of tests might be helpful.”

If symptoms develop, officials say established protocols are in place to ensure safe assessment, testing, and treatment without any risk to the public.

Outbreak on MV Hondius

The four Canadians were among roughly 130 passengers aboard the MV Hondius when an outbreak of hantavirus was identified earlier this month. International health officials report that the outbreak has resulted in three deaths and several additional illnesses.

The affected Canadians include two Yukon residents in their 70s, a B.C. resident in their 70s and a person in their 50s currently living abroad.

All four were assessed as asymptomatic before leaving the vessel under strict medical supervision.

Hantavirus is typically transmitted through exposure to infected rodent droppings or urine particles and is not known to spread easily between people.

Risk to the public remains low

Health authorities continue to stress that the risk to the public is very low. The World Health Organization has also indicated the situation does not resemble a respiratory pandemic scenario.

While the outbreak is considered serious, infectious disease experts say the likelihood of community transmission remains extremely low due to the nature of the virus and the strict containment measures in place.

The MV Hondius crew is expected to undergo further procedures before the vessel is fully disinfected in the Netherlands.

Officials say monitoring of the four Canadians will continue throughout the full isolation period, with coordinated oversight between provincial and federal health agencies.