Story perspectives

BC Cruise Passenger Presumptive Hantavirus Positive, No Pandemic Threat

5/17/2026

Summary

Passenger Tests Positive

A cruise passenger in British Columbia tested presumptive positive for hantavirus after fever and headache began two days earlier.
He is one of ten Canadians isolated for the MV Hondius outbreak—four in British Columbia and six in other provinces—while his presumptive result, reported Friday, awaits laboratory confirmation.
Provincial health officer Bonnie Henry said the isolated individuals have not contacted the public.
She added that the virus lacks pandemic potential.

Summary

Canadians Isolated

Four Canadians returned to British Columbia on May 10 and are isolated in a Victoria hospital.
They include a couple in their 70s from the Yukon, a Vancouver Island resident, and a 50-year-old BC resident abroad.
The National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg will confirm the presumptive positive result over the weekend.
Dr. Bonnie Henry said the province’s response plan is being followed as the MV Hondius outbreak reaches 12 cases, nine laboratory-confirmed.

Summary

**WHO Reports Hantavirus**

WHO announced on Wednesday that 11 hantavirus cases linked to the MV Hondius have been reported worldwide.
Health officials said the Andes strain can rarely spread between people, prompting Canada to monitor 26 flight contacts for symptoms.
The WHO reported three deaths among the 11 cases, noted a Canadian case would raise global total to 12, and said National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg will issue confirmatory results within two days.

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Passenger Tests Positive

A cruise passenger in British Columbia tested presumptive positive for hantavirus after fever and headache began two days earlier.
He is one of ten Canadians isolated for the MV Hondius outbreak—four in British Columbia and six in other provinces—while his presumptive result, reported Friday, awaits laboratory confirmation.
Provincial health officer Bonnie Henry said the isolated individuals have not contacted the public.
She added that the virus lacks pandemic potential.

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