In a recent development from British Columbia, one of four Canadians in quarantine after potential exposure to the hantavirus on a cruise ship tested positive for the virus. The provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, provided an update during a news conference, revealing that the individual began showing mild symptoms, such as fever and headache, two days prior. Both the patient and their partner, who were on the same cruise, have been moved to a hospital in Victoria for further evaluation and testing.
Dr. Henry stated that the initial test results, received late on Friday, indicated a presumptive positive for the virus. However, she emphasized that confirmatory testing is underway at the national microbiology lab in Winnipeg, with results anticipated over the weekend. “Clearly this is not what we hoped for, but it is what we planned for,” she remarked, assuring that the patient remains stable with mild symptoms while under isolation and medical care in the hospital.
The patient’s partner tested negative but will also stay in the hospital for ongoing observation. In addition, a third individual from the same quarantine group has been hospitalized as a precautionary measure, while the fourth person continues their isolation at home, monitored daily. These four Canadians arrived in Victoria on May 10 after being on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, where the hantavirus outbreak was detected. Upon arrival, they were symptom-free and began a minimum 21-day quarantine immediately.
In related news, France’s Pasteur Institute announced it has successfully sequenced the Andes virus found in a French passenger from the MV Hondius. The analysis demonstrated that the virus shares similarities with known strains in South America, with no new characteristics suggesting increased transmissibility or severity. The virus from the French passenger closely resembles those identified in other cruise ship cases and known Andes virus samples in South American rodent populations. Jean-Claude Manuguerra from Pasteur’s environment and infectious risk unit noted that any observed variations reflect natural viral changes and do not alter the virus’s behavior among travelers.
Since April 11, the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship has led to the deaths of three passengers, including a Dutch couple and a German woman. As investigations continue, health officials remain vigilant in monitoring and managing the situation to prevent further spread.