Four Canadians who disembarked the cruise ship at the centre of a deadly hantavirus outbreak arrived in Canada on Sunday and will continue their quarantine.
The Canadians, who were set to arrive in British Columbia later Sunday after landing in Quebec, are to isolate in B.C. because they have connections with the province, said B.C’s health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
“This has undoubtedly been a stressful and difficult experience for the Canadians and everybody aboard the MV Hondius,” Henry said during a Sunday news conference.
“They are undoubtably looking forward to being back home in Canada, where they can get the care and monitoring they need.”
The Canadians were among 130 passengers on the MV Hondius who exited the vessel at a port in Tenerife, an island in Spain’s Canary Islands, early Sunday.
They were assessed as asymptomatic before they took off in a plane chartered by the Public Health Agency of Canada and Global Affairs Canada, with support from the armed forces. A PHAC officer ensured public health measures, including masking and physical distancing, were being followed on the flight.
Henry said when they arrive in British Columbia, they will be taken to their lodgings. The passengers are expected to quarantine under supervision for just over two weeks.
Henry reassured people that there is no risk of hantavirus spread after their arrival.
“They won’t be out in the community. They won’t be having contact with people. Our public health teams will be in contact with them every day,” she said.
“We’ll make sure that they are safely able to … have their mental and physical needs taken care of during that period of time.”
They have been following strict isolation protocols on the MV Hondius since early May, when the World Health Organization declared the outbreak on the ship.
That will bring their total quarantine time to 21 days since May 6, the last day a confirmed case of hantavirus was on the ship.
B.C. health official reassures public
Henry said in a written statement that she understands people in the province may be concerned, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, but noted the virus is very different from respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19.
“It does not spread in the same way and is not considered a disease with pandemic potential,” Henry said.
Hantavirus usually spreads when people inhale contaminated residue of rodent droppings and isn’t easily transmitted between people.
Three people have died since the outbreak on the ship began, and five passengers tested positive for the hantavirus, which can cause life-threatening illness.
Several other Canadians have been told to isolate after coming into contact with infected passengers.
A couple from the Grey Bruce region of Ontario disembarked from the ship in late April before the outbreak was declared and have shown no symptoms.
Four other Canadians — from Quebec, Alberta, and Ontario — were not on the ship but may have come into contact with someone infected with hantavirus while flying, the federal government said.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus sought to reassure the public on Sunday, repeating that the risk for the general public from the outbreak is low.
Even so, those disembarking and personnel working at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife wore protective gear during the evacuation process, including face masks, hazmat suits, and respirators. Video obtained by The Associated Press showed passengers on the tarmac wearing similar suits and being sprayed down with disinfectant.
— With files from The Associated Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 10, 2026.