A Canadian who sailed on the cruise ship MV Hondius which was hit by a hantavirus outbreak in April has tested positive for the disease, officials in the province of British Columbia say.
The individual, one of four people isolating on Vancouver Island after leaving the ship, had developed mild symptoms.
The province's senior health officer stated that the four had not had any contact with the public since arriving in Canada.
This recent case brings the total number of hantavirus infections to 11, all among cruise passengers. Unfortunately, three individuals who traveled on the ship have died, with two confirmed to have had the virus.
British Columbia health officer Bonnie Henry mentioned that the person's test received a presumptive positive status, meaning it still requires confirmation from a national microbiology lab. Clearly, this is not what we hoped for, but it is what we planned for, she reassured.
Dr. Henry emphasized that hantavirus differs significantly from other respiratory viruses and is not assumed to have pandemic potential. Among the six Canadians from the ship, two are self-isolating in Ontario while the others are on Vancouver Island.
The MV Hondius had set sail from Argentina on April 1, docking in Tenerife, Spain, where passengers were allowed to disembark and adhere to isolation protocols. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Rotterdam soon, with all remaining staff on board reporting no current symptoms.
The World Health Organization has recommended a 42-day isolation period for affected individuals. Originally, the isolation period was 21 days, but this may be adjusted in light of recent developments.
Hantaviruses are typically carried by rodents, with human transmission of the Andes strain being noted as a possibility for some passengers. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, gastrointestinal issues, and respiratory difficulties. Officials maintain that the risk of a widespread outbreak is very low.
