Toronto (Canada).- Canadian authorities reported on Thursday that they have ordered two people who traveled on the cruise ship affected by hantavirus to isolate themselves at home and are monitoring the possible development of the disease.
A third person, who did not travel on the cruise but was on the same flight as an individual showing signs of the illness, is also in self-isolation in Canada, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Health Minister Marjorie Michel said in a statement.
Canadian authorities added that the third person "is not considered high risk" by the World Health Organization.
The Tracking of Other Canadian Citizens
In addition to the two Canadians who left the cruise ship MV Hondius before the epidemic outbreak began, another four Canadian citizens are currently on board the vessel.
Anand said that he is in contact with those four Canadians and that Canadian consular staff are on their way to the Canary Islands (Spain) "to oversee the process when the Canadians disembark and ensure that all public health protocols are followed".
The MV Hondius, which departed from Ushuaia (Argentina), is expected to arrive in the Canary Islands this weekend. Three passengers on the vessel have died in connection with the outbreak of
hantavirus, a virus transmitted by rodents that can cause acute respiratory syndrome in humans.