A Canadian who sailed on the cruise ship MV Hondius which was hit by a hantavirus outbreak in April has tested positive for the disease, officials in the province of British Columbia say. The individual, one of four people isolating on Vancouver Island after leaving the ship, had developed mild symptoms. The province's senior health officer confirmed that the four had not had any contact with the public since their arrival in Canada.
This case brings the total number of infections to 11, all among cruise passengers. Three people who traveled on the ship have died, two of whom tested positive for the virus. British Columbia health officer Bonnie Henry stated that the individual's test came back as a presumptive positive, pending confirmation by a national microbiology lab.
Clearly, this is not what we hoped for, but it is what we planned for, she remarked. Dr. Henry emphasized that hantavirus is markedly different from other respiratory viruses and does not carry pandemic potential.
Of the six Canadians who were on the ship, two are isolating at home in Ontario, while two couples are isolating on Vancouver Island. None of the others have tested positive so far. The MV Hondius, which began its voyage from Argentina on April 1, docked in Tenerife, allowing passengers to leave and begin their isolation.
Currently, there are no symptomatic individuals on board, and the ship is scheduled to arrive in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The WHO has recommended a prolonged 42-day isolation duration for passengers, and officials consider the risk of a significant outbreak to be very low.
This case brings the total number of infections to 11, all among cruise passengers. Three people who traveled on the ship have died, two of whom tested positive for the virus. British Columbia health officer Bonnie Henry stated that the individual's test came back as a presumptive positive, pending confirmation by a national microbiology lab.
Clearly, this is not what we hoped for, but it is what we planned for, she remarked. Dr. Henry emphasized that hantavirus is markedly different from other respiratory viruses and does not carry pandemic potential.
Of the six Canadians who were on the ship, two are isolating at home in Ontario, while two couples are isolating on Vancouver Island. None of the others have tested positive so far. The MV Hondius, which began its voyage from Argentina on April 1, docked in Tenerife, allowing passengers to leave and begin their isolation.
Currently, there are no symptomatic individuals on board, and the ship is scheduled to arrive in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The WHO has recommended a prolonged 42-day isolation duration for passengers, and officials consider the risk of a significant outbreak to be very low.
