Victoria, Canada. British Columbia officials said one Canadian tested positive for hantavirus after leaving a luxury cruise ship affected by an outbreak of the Andes strain. The individual was tested at a hospital in Victoria after developing mild symptoms.
Case linked to cruise ship outbreak
The individual is one of four Canadians isolating on Vancouver Island after leaving the MV Hondius, a Dutch luxury cruise ship that departed Argentina on a polar expedition on April 1, the government of British Columbia said.
The group included two couples, one from Yukon and another from British Columbia. Officials said the person who tested positive is from Yukon.
Testing and isolation measures
B.C. provincial health officer Bonnie Henry said the Yukon couple is being tested in British Columbia because that service is unavailable in the northern territory.
Henry said the four people did not come in contact with the public when they were transferred from their flight to Victoria. She said the individual who tested positive is in stable condition.
About the Andes strain and transmission risk
The Andes strain of hantavirus can cause severe lung illness and can be fatal in up to 50% of cases, according to the World Health Organization.
Hantaviruses are usually spread by rodents, but in rare cases can be transmitted person to person. Health authorities have said the risk of the virus spreading is low.
What steps are health authorities taking to monitor potential exposure linked to the cruise ship passengers?
