Four Canadians on cruise ship that was hit by suspected hantavirus outbreak: firm

OTTAWA — There are four Canadians on board a cruise ship where a suspected hantavirus outbreak has killed three passengers.

The MV Hondius was on a polar cruise from Argentina to Antarctica and several South Atlantic islands when some passengers started experiencing symptoms.

Hantavirus is a rodent-borne illness spread by contact with rodents or their urine, saliva or droppings, and the World Health Organization says the rare virus can spread between people.

Oceanwide Expeditions today published a list of the nationalities of people on board the ship, including four passengers who are Canadian.