Canadian cruise passenger from MV Hondius tests positive for Andes virus

A Canadian passenger from the MV Hondius cruise ship has tested presumptive positive for hantavirus (Andes strain), confirmed by British Columbia health authorities. The individual, from Yukon, developed mild symptoms and is isolating on Vancouver Island as one of four Canadians who left the ship. This case brings the total number of infections among cruise passengers to 11, with three deaths reported and two confirmed to have had the virus. The Dutch ship sailed from Argentina on 1 April and docked in Tenerife last week. The WHO believes passengers contracted the Andes strain in South America and recommends 42-day isolation for all 147 passengers and crew from 23 countries. Health officials emphasize that hantavirus does not have pandemic potential and the risk of major outbreak remains very low.