Canadian Cruise Passenger Tests Positive for Hantavirus, Raising Infection Count to Eleven
A Canadian individual who travelled on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which experienced a hantavirus outbreak in April, has tested presumptively positive for the disease. The individual, from Yukon, was among four people undergoing isolation on Vancouver Island; they developed mild symptoms prior to the test result.
Hantavirus Outbreak Details
British Columbia's senior health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, stated that the four individuals had no contact with the public after arriving in Canada. This new case increases the total number of hantavirus infections to eleven, all among cruise passengers. Three fatalities have been associated with the ship, with two confirmed to be hantavirus-related.
Dr. Henry emphasised that hantavirus is distinct from other prevalent respiratory viruses like COVID-19 or influenza, and does not possess pandemic potential. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended a 42-day isolation period for individuals from the affected cruise. Canadian health officials are reviewing their initial 21-day isolation guideline in light of the confirmed case.
Hantaviruses are typically rodent-borne; however, the Andes strain, which the WHO suspects some passengers contracted in South America, can be transmitted between humans. Symptoms include fever, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and shortness of breath. Officials maintain that the risk of a widespread outbreak remains low.
The MV Hondius, which commenced its voyage from Argentina on 1 April, docked in Tenerife less than a week ago, allowing its 147 passengers and crew from 23 nations to enter isolation.
