Canadian health officials have reported a presumptive positive test result for hantavirus in one of four Canadians who had been quarantined in British Columbia following exposure aboard a cruise ship. Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, announced that the individual, who began showing mild symptoms like fever and headache, was transferred to a hospital in Victoria for further evaluation and testing alongside their partner, who was also aboard the same cruise.
On Friday evening, test results indicated a presumptive positive for hantavirus, prompting health authorities to send samples to the national microbiology lab in Winnipeg for confirmation, which is expected over the weekend. Dr. Henry emphasized that while the situation was undesirable, it was anticipated and prepared for. The patient remains stable, with mild symptoms, and is being monitored in isolation at the hospital. The patient’s partner, who tested negative, will also stay hospitalized for observation.
In a precautionary measure, a third person from the same lodging was moved to the hospital for monitoring, while the fourth individual continues their isolation at home under surveillance. All four Canadians had arrived in Victoria on May 10 from the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, where the hantavirus outbreak took place. None exhibited symptoms upon arrival and were immediately quarantined for at least 21 days.
Meanwhile, the Pasteur Institute in France announced that it has fully sequenced the Andes virus found in a French passenger from the MV Hondius, determining it to be consistent with known South American strains. The genomic analysis showed no new traits making it more transmissible or dangerous, with the viruses found aboard being identical to each other and 97% similar to South American Andes virus samples, including those in rodents. Jean-Claude Manuguerra from the Pasteur Institute noted the variations were typical and did not affect the virus’s characteristics among travelers.
Since April 11, there have been three deaths linked to suspected hantavirus infections from the cruise, involving a Dutch couple and a German woman. The situation continues to be closely monitored as health authorities work to contain the outbreak and ensure the safety of those affected.