**Andes hantavirus** outbreak and if it poses a danger to you in **Merritt, British Columbia**.The short answer is **no, the risk to you and the general public in Merritt is currently very low.**Here is a quick breakdown of what is actually happening in the province right now:

### The Cruise Ship Outbreak

The recent news stories stem from an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus that occurred aboard a cruise ship, the *MV Hondius*. ### The Situation in B.C. * **Strict Isolation:** Four passengers from that ship returned to British Columbia to undergo mandatory isolation. * **Recent Update:** As of mid-May 2026, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed that one of those isolating individuals has tested “presumptive positive” for the virus. * **No Community Spread:** This person is in strict isolation within a healthcare facility using specialized protocols. Public health officials emphasize that they have had **zero contact with the general public**, meaning there is no ongoing community spread from this case.### A Quick Reminder on Local HantavirusWhile the cruise ship strain is in the news, it’s worth noting that hantavirus does exist naturally in rural British Columbia, usually carried by

**deer mice**. British Columbia

The risk of catching the local strain is also low, but public health always recommends taking standard precautions if you are cleaning out old sheds, barns, or cabins where mice might have nested (e.g., wetting down droppings with bleach rather than sweeping them up into the air).But as far as the current outbreak in the news is concerned, it is entirely contained and does not pose a threat to the residents of the Nicola Valley.