A Canadian who sailed on the cruise ship MV Hondius, hit by a hantavirus outbreak in April, has tested positive for the disease, officials from British Columbia state.
The individual, currently isolating on Vancouver Island, had developed mild symptoms after departing from the ship. Health authorities assure that the four passengers isolating have not had contact with the public since returning to Canada.
This positive case raises the total infections to 11 among cruise passengers. Sadly, three individuals who traveled on the ship have died, with two confirmed to have hantavirus. Health Officer Bonnie Henry stated that further confirmation from a national microbiology lab is still required for the positive result.
Clearly, this is not what we hoped for, but it is what we planned for, she noted, adding that hantavirus is not seen as a pandemic risk compared to other respiratory viruses. Of the remaining passengers, two are self-isolating in Ontario while two couples remain in isolation on Vancouver Island.
The MV Hondius set sail from Argentina on April 1 and docked in Tenerife on May 10, with all remaining staff disembarking while ensuring there are no symptomatic individuals aboard. The WHO has recommended extended isolation periods, which may be adjusted in light of new developments.
Hantavirus, typically carried by rodents, poses symptoms like fever and fatigue. However, officials maintain that the risk of wider outbreaks remains very low.
