Canada monitoring three people after Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to Antarctic cruise ship

In a joint statement, Marjorie Michel and Anita Anand said two Canadians who had been on the vessel returned to Canada before the outbreak was identified.

A third individual, who was not aboard the ship but travelled on the same flight as a symptomatic passenger, is also being monitored.

Officials said the individual is not considered a “high-risk close contact” under World Health Organization guidelines.

According to the government, two of the individuals are in Ontario and one is in Quebec. All three are asymptomatic, have been instructed to self-isolate and are being monitored by local health authorities for symptoms.

The government said it has activated a Strategic Response Team to coordinate the federal response and is providing consular support in the Canary Islands, where Canadian passengers aboard the vessel are expected to disembark.

Authorities said they remain in contact with provincial governments, the WHO and international health officials as monitoring efforts continue.

Andes hantavirus is a rare rodent-borne virus primarily found in South America and can cause severe respiratory illness in humans.

Unlike some other hantaviruses, Andes hantavirus has been associated with limited person-to-person transmission in certain circumstances.

The Dutch-operated cruise liner departed from Argentina three weeks ago and was en route to the Canary Islands.

However, it is currently anchored off the coast of Cabo Verde in West Africa as authorities assess the situation.