Ontario health officials are now monitoring seven additional people connected to the international hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, bringing the total number of monitored individuals in the province to 10.
According to Ontario’s Ministry of Health, the seven newly identified individuals are considered “low-risk” contacts and have been directed to isolate out of an abundance of caution.
The province had previously identified three “high-risk” contacts, including a couple from the Grey Bruce region who were passengers on the cruise ship and another individual in the Peel Region who travelled on the same flight as a passenger later confirmed to have died from hantavirus.
Health officials say the three high-risk individuals in Ontario continue to show no symptoms.
Across Canada, an additional six people are currently isolating in Alberta and British Columbia as public health authorities continue monitoring possible exposures.
The outbreak is connected to the MV Hondius cruise ship, where multiple passengers and crew members tested positive for Andes virus, the only known form of hantavirus capable of spreading from person to person.
Internationally, health authorities have now confirmed 11 cases and three deaths connected to the outbreak. No new fatalities have been reported since May 2.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the global risk to the public remains low and there is currently no indication of a larger outbreak developing.
Public health officials continue to emphasize that Andes virus transmission requires close and prolonged contact and that the disease is not considered a pandemic threat.
Medical experts also note that hantavirus differs significantly from COVID-19 because it does not spread easily through casual community contact.
Canadian health authorities are continuing active monitoring and isolation protocols because the virus can have a long incubation period, meaning additional cases could still emerge in the coming weeks.
Officials stress that anyone under monitoring remains isolated and is being regularly assessed by local public health teams.