VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) 鈥� One of four Canadians who returned home from a cruise ship where there was a outbreak received a 鈥減resumptive positive鈥� test result for the virus, Canadian officials said Saturday.
Results from the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg to confirm the case are expected to come over the weekend, said Dr. Bonnie Henry, the public health officer for the province of .
鈥淐learly this is not what we hoped for, but it is what we planned for,鈥� Henry said.
The person, one member of a couple in their 70s, began showing mild symptoms, including a fever and headache, two days ago. Both are in a hospital in Victoria.
鈥淭he patient is stable, the symptoms remain mild at this point,鈥� said Henry. 鈥淭hey are still in hospital, in isolation, being monitored and receiving care as needed.鈥�
The second person showed 鈥渧ery minor symptoms鈥� and tests were negative, she said.
鈥淚t is encouraging that symptoms were identified early, supportive care can be provided, and they will be monitored carefully over the next few days,鈥� Henry said.
Three people have died since the hantavirus outbreak began on the MV Hondius. If confirmed, the Canadian patient would be the 10th person from the ship to test positive. The outbreak on the ship 12 cases, nine of which have been confirmed. Among those who died are a who health officials believe were the first exposed to the virus while visiting South America.
The four Canadians returned to British Columbia on May 10. Besides a couple in their 70s from the Yukon, there was a person in their 70s from Vancouver Island and a B.C. person from British Columbia in their 50s who lives abroad.
All were in isolation.
Henry said the hantavirus is different from COVID-19 and is not considered to have 鈥減andemic potential.鈥�
鈥淚 want to reassure everybody in (British Columbia) that for most of us the situation has not changed,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had infection control precautions in place from the moment these people arrived in British Columbia.
鈥淚鈥檓 confident there鈥檚 no additional risk. We are well prepared to respond carefully and appropriately to keep everyone safe.”
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
