A Canadian cruise passenger who was isolating on Vancouver Island after returning from a hantavirus-stricken ship has tested positive for the Andes strain of Hantavirus, as confirmed by Bonnie Henry, British Columbia's provincial health officer, on Saturday.
The individual is one of four Canadians from the MV Hondius cruise ship who entered quarantine upon arrival in Victoria. The ship experienced an outbreak of the respiratory virus after departing Ushuaia, Argentina, late last month.
Positive Test Results
Henry reported that a couple from the Yukon, both in their 70s, began developing mild symptoms, including fever and headache, two days ago. They were taken to hospital for testing. One member of the couple, who exhibited symptoms, tested positive for hantavirus at the B.C. CDC public health lab. Samples have been sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg for confirmation, with results expected later Saturday.
The other member of the couple had minor symptoms but tested negative, according to Henry. A third person in the same lodging was transferred to Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals for testing and monitoring, while the fourth individual, who had been isolating at home, remains under daily observation.
Quarantine Measures
Henry emphasized the importance of quarantine and isolation as tools to prevent transmission. All four individuals were exposed on the cruise ship, where they had been for over a month. The Andes virus outbreak was identified on May 2, placing them in the key risk period, with symptoms typically emerging around the 18-day mark.
“I want to reassure everybody in B.C. that for most of us the situation has not changed,” Henry stated. “We’ve had infection control precautions in place from the moment these people arrived in British Columbia, and I’m confident there’s no additional risk to anybody else outside of the people who’ve been caring for these individuals.”
Global Impact
The outbreak on the MV Hondius has resulted in a dozen cases and three fatalities, including a 70-year-old Dutch man, his 69-year-old Dutch spouse, and a German passenger. A 69-year-old British man was evacuated to intensive care in South Africa, and a French female passenger is critically ill in a French hospital, receiving treatment with an artificial lung.
The four Canadians returned to Canada without symptoms and began a minimum 21-day quarantine, given the hantavirus incubation period of up to 42 days. Henry noted that the situation is being managed carefully to protect public health.
