Officials Contact Passengers Over Hantavirus Exposure

Canadian health officials say they are working to contact 26 passengers connected to a possible hantavirus exposure linked to a cruise ship case involving infected travellers. According to public health authorities, the passengers are considered “low-risk,” but officials are still carrying out precautionary monitoring and communication efforts as part of the investigation.

The update was provided by British Columbia’s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, after two crew members working aboard a luxury cruise ship tested positive for hantavirus earlier this month. The infected individuals were later isolated after the ship arrived near Vancouver Island. Health officials said the current risk to the public remains low, but authorities are continuing contact tracing to ensure passengers receive proper information and medical guidance if needed

Hantavirus is a rare but serious disease usually spread through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings, or saliva. In some cases, people can become infected after breathing in particles contaminated by rodents. Officials explained that the virus does not normally spread easily from person to person, which is why authorities currently consider the passenger exposure risk to be low.

Dr. Henry said the 26 passengers being contacted may have had limited interaction with the infected crew members during the cruise. Officials are advising those passengers to monitor for symptoms and seek medical advice if they begin feeling unwell. Symptoms of hantavirus can include fever, muscle pain, headaches, coughing, shortness of breath, nausea, and fatigue. Severe cases can affect the lungs and become life-threatening if not treated quickly. 

The cruise ship involved in the investigation has not been publicly identified by officials, but health authorities confirmed the vessel had recently travelled through waters near British Columbia. Public health teams are now reviewing possible exposure areas onboard and investigating where the infected crew members may have contracted the virus. Officials believe the infection may have been linked to rodent exposure before boarding the ship rather than active transmission onboard.

The case has attracted public attention because hantavirus infections are relatively rare in Canada. Medical experts say most cases are linked to exposure in rural or wilderness areas where infected rodents may be present. Public health authorities stressed that casual contact with infected people is not believed to pose a major risk to the general public.

Officials also emphasized that cruise passengers not contacted directly by health authorities are not considered at significant risk. Dr. Henry stated that the situation is being handled carefully out of caution and transparency rather than because of a wider public health emergency.

Health experts are continuing to monitor the situation closely while laboratory testing and investigation work remain ongoing. Authorities said additional updates will be shared if more information becomes available or if further health measures become necessary. Meanwhile, passengers and crew connected to the cruise have been encouraged to watch for symptoms and follow guidance from public health officials.