A Canadian has tested positive for hantavirus after leaving a luxury cruise ship hit by an outbreak of the Andes strain of the virus.
The individual, who was tested at a hospital in Victoria, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island, after developing mild symptoms, is one of four Canadians isolating on the island after leaving the MV Hondius, that departed Argentina on a polar expedition on April 1.
The group included two couples – one from Yukon and another from BC The individual who tested positive is from Yukon, officials said.
The Yukon couple is being tested in BC because that service is unavailable in the northern territory, said BC provincial health officer Bonnie Henry.
“Clearly this is not what we hoped for, but it is what we planned for,” Henry said.
The person, one member of a couple in their 70s, began showing mild symptoms, including a fever and headache, two days ago. Both are in a hospital in Victoria.
“The patient is stable, the symptoms remain mild at this point,” said Henry.
“They are still in hospital, in isolation, being monitored and receiving care as needed.”
The second person showed “very minor symptoms” and tests were negative, she said.
“It is encouraging that symptoms were identified early, supportive care can be provided, and they will be monitored carefully over the next few days,” Henry said.
The four people had not come in contact with the public when they were transferred from their flight to Victoria. The person who tested positive is in stable condition, she said.
The Andes strain of hantavirus, identified in the outbreak on the cruise ship, can cause severe lung illness that can be fatal in up to 50 per cent of cases, according to the World Health Organisation.
Three people have died since the hantavirus outbreak began on the MV Hondius.
If confirmed, the Canadian patient would be the 10th person from the ship to test positive. The outbreak on the ship has reached 12 cases, nine of which have been confirmed.
Among those who died are a Dutch couple who health officials believe were the first exposed to the virus while visiting South America.
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that 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.
with AP
