Health officials continue monitoring a hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius after multiple confirmed infections and several deaths linked to the voyage raised international concern.
According to the World Health Organization, eight cases connected to the ship have been identified so far, including five confirmed hantavirus infections and three deaths.
Passengers aboard the ship say they were largely unaware of the seriousness of the situation while travelling.
Ruhi Chenet, a passenger who boarded the ship in Argentina on April 1, told CTV News that passengers continued eating together and socializing even after being informed that someone had died onboard.
“People were socializing with each other, we had our meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner all together in the dining room, sitting side by side,” Chenet said. “The dining room was packed.”
Chenet said the ship’s captain informed passengers at the time that the death appeared to be from “natural causes,” which reassured many onboard and prevented widespread alarm.
The WHO says it is now working with international health authorities to manage the outbreak, monitor exposed passengers and organize safe disembarkation procedures.
Health experts stress that while the outbreak is serious, the overall public health risk remains low.
Isaac Bogoch said the virus is well understood compared to the early days of COVID-19 and is unlikely to evolve into a global pandemic.
“This is a completely different virus,” experts emphasized, noting that hantavirus outbreaks are rare and typically easier to contain through established public health measures.
However, doctors warn that additional cases may still emerge because hantavirus can have a long incubation period.
Bogoch noted that passengers may have experienced multiple exposures during the voyage and that some infections may not yet have become symptomatic.
Canadian officials are also responding to the situation. Health Minister Anita Anand confirmed earlier that two Canadians had already returned home from the cruise before the outbreak was publicly identified.
Hantavirus is typically transmitted through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva. Symptoms can initially resemble the flu before progressing to serious respiratory complications in severe cases.
Public health authorities are continuing contact tracing efforts and advising passengers to monitor for symptoms while seeking medical attention if they experience breathing difficulties, fever or severe fatigue.