Passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship board a EuroAtlantic Airways aircraft bound for Canada. The Canadians will isolate for 21 days after returning from the ship where a hantavirus outbreak sickened several people and killed three.Borja Suarez/Reuters
Four Canadian passengers from a cruise ship beset by a hantavirus outbreak are returning to Canada on a chartered plane Sunday, the government said.
They were scheduled to land at Bagotville, Que., on Sunday afternoon before being transferred to a plane that will fly to British Columbia.
Public health officials in B.C. will assess the four passengers once they arrive. Then they will be transferred to what the federal public health agency called “a pre-determined location” where they will self-isolate for a minimum of 21 days.
At that point, the passengers will be reassessed and a decision will be made about whether to continue to isolate up to a maximum of 42 days.
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The passengers are being accompanied by a Public Health Agency of Canada quarantine officer.
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry said the four people are asymptomatic.
“Upon arrival, they will be screened and assessed by local public health officials and transported directly to safe, pre-arranged lodgings, where they will begin an initial 21-day self-isolation period under daily monitoring by public health teams,” Dr. Henry said.
“At no point during their arrival or isolation period will they be in contact with the public. They will be monitored daily by local public health teams to ensure that they remain well and are safely isolating. It has been a very challenging time for these four Canadians and public health teams are committed to supporting them through this process.”
She added that the passengers will have access to medical care and other supports during their isolation.
Passengers and crew started disembarking from a cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak on Sunday. The process is being overseen by global health officials and expected to last until Monday.
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She stressed that although people may feel understandably concerned, hantavirus is not considered a disease with pandemic potential and does not spread like respiratory viruses such as COVID-19.
“In the unlikely event that symptoms develop, British Columbia has established protocols, experienced clinical teams and specialized capacity, including the BC Biocontainment Treatment Centre at Surrey Memorial Hospital, to safely assess and care for patients,” Dr. Henry said.
She said people in British Columbia can be reassured that the situation “can be managed safely and supportively for everyone involved.”