90-Second Read: Canadian national health agency confirms 1 positive Hantavirus test

Canada's national health agency confirms that one of four Canadians returning from a cruise ship with a Hantavirus outbreak has tested positive. The Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed the positive test a day after the public health officer for the province of British Columbia said the person had received a "presumptive positive" but further testing would be conducted at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg. The Canadian public health agency said it is taking a precautionary approach to ensure citizens are protected.

The four Canadian cruise passengers returned to British Columbia last Sunday. Three people have died since the Hantavirus outbreak began on the cruise ship MV Hondius. The Canadian patient is the 10th person from the ship to test positive.

Among the three who died are a Dutch couple who health officials believe were the first exposed to the virus while visiting South America. The overall risk to the general population in Canada from the Andes Hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship remains low at this time. The MV Hondius cruise ship is anchored at a port in Praia, Cape Verde, May 4, 2026.