Ottawa: Canada is coordinating with the World Health Organization (WHO) and international partners regarding a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Wednesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Government of Canada is actively responding to the Andes Hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius. In a statement shared on the US social media platform X, Foreign Minister Anita Anand emphasized the collaboration with international partners and the WHO. She noted that Global Affairs Canada is coordinating efforts with local authorities and has reached out to support Canadians on the vessel. At this stage, there are no known cases of Canadians infected on board.

Anand further stated that Global Affairs Canada will have consular officials ready to assist Canadians as they disembark when the ship reaches port. The MV Hondius, a Dutch cruise ship carrying approximately 150 passengers, was affected by the hantavirus outbreak off the coast of Cape Verde, resulting in three reported deaths. The vessel had been on a weeklong polar cruise from Argentina to Antarctica before heading toward Cape Verde.