British Columbia's top doctor is set to outline plans for monitoring four Canadians returning home from a cruise ship at the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak.
Dr. Bonnie Henry is expected to provide details at about 3 p.m.
The four individuals were aboard the MV Hondius when the outbreak began, with eight cases and three deaths reported. The ship docked in Tenerife, Spain, on Sunday morning. The B.C. residents wore protective gear as they boarded a plane for Saguenay-Bagotville Airport, roughly two hours outside Quebec City.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship's owner, said the four were among about 130 asymptomatic passengers. The World Health Organization screened passengers at the port.
After arriving at Canadian Forces Base Bagotville, the group will change planes for a flight to an airport in B.C. There, local public health officials will assess them before they self-isolate for a minimum of 21 days, dating back to May 6, the last day a confirmed case was on board. Officials will reassess after that period, potentially extending isolation to 42 days total.
The Canadian Armed Forces is assisting with repatriation, facilitating the chartered return flight and transfer to provincial health authorities in B.C.