4 MV Hondius passengers now in B.C.

Added: 2026-05-16

[00:00:00]Four Canadians are now isolating on Vancouver Island after being evacuated from a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship off the Canary Islands and flown on a charter to Victoria. All four were and continue to be well and have no symptoms. The four consist of a couple in their 70s from the Yukon, a passenger also in their 70s from Vancouver Island, and a fourth in their 50s living abroad originally from BC. The province's top doctor acknowledges feeling stressed and an unwelcome sense of déjà vu. When I first heard about what was happening on board this cruise ship, I did have a bit of a sinking feeling. But emphasized Monday, this situation is very different than COVID-19.

[00:00:46]It's not highly transmissible and we know that, too.

[00:00:50]And it's not what we would consider a disease of pandemic potential. Still, the disease is serious, claiming three lives on the ship, leaving seven others infected, and two more reported cases.

[00:01:03]One passenger from France and an American became symptomatic upon returning home. Hantavirus typically spreads through rat feces and rarely through human contact, and only then after significant exposure. There's been no secondary transmissions at all.

[00:01:19]Everyone who's been diagnosed with hantavirus or suspected of having it has been on the cruise ship.

[00:01:24]>> The passengers isolating on Vancouver Island will do so for at least 21 days, potentially as long as 42.

[00:01:31]We are all hoping that the four people who are here with us will remain well through this incubation period, but this is exactly why we are taking the precautions and why plans are in place should their conditions change.

[00:01:46]An additional six other Canadians are in isolation in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta, potentially exposed earlier on the cruise or as passengers on a flight with a foreign passenger infected from the ship. All 130 passengers from 23 countries have returned or are on route home while the ship makes its way back to the Netherlands to be disinfected.

[00:02:09]Rob Buffam joins us now live from Victoria. Rob, what more do we know about the isolation period for the for Canadians on Vancouver Island?

[00:02:18]Well, Me Jung, we learned that that period will kick off as of yesterday, those 21-day minimum period. It could be extended as long as 42 or 45 days subject to how other passengers fare going forward. And again, Dr. Henry really did emphasize this is very different than COVID. It's nowhere near as contagious, nor is it transmitted in the same way. But for those very few number of people who do get it, it's very serious. 30% of the time is fatal.

[00:02:45]Me Jung. Rob Buffam reporting live tonight from Victoria.