Hantavirus case in Canada investigated after MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak

Canadian health officials said Saturday that one of four cruise passengers who returned to British Columbia has a presumptive positive test for hantavirus. The travellers came from the MV Hondius, where an outbreak has been reported. Confirmation results from the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg were expected over the weekend, according to Dr Bonnie Henry.

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Dr Bonnie Henry said the person who tested presumptively positive is stable in hospital in Victoria. The patient is part of a couple in their 70s. Mild symptoms began two days earlier, including fever and headache. Dr Bonnie Henry said both people remained in isolation and were being monitored.

Hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius and case counts

Three people have died since the hantavirus outbreak began on the MV Hondius. If the Canadian result is confirmed, the patient would be the 10th person from the ship to test positive. Officials said the outbreak has reached 12 cases, with nine confirmed. Those who died included a Dutch couple.

Health officials believed the Dutch couple were first exposed while visiting South America. Canadian authorities tracked passengers after the ship outbreak was identified. Dr Bonnie Henry said early symptom checks helped guide care. "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.

Hantavirus tests, symptoms, and isolation in British Columbia

Dr Bonnie Henry said the second member of the couple reported very minor symptoms. Tests for that person were negative, Dr Bonnie Henry added. The two remained in hospital in Victoria. \"They are still in hospital, in isolation, being monitored and receiving care as needed,\" Henry said.

The four Canadians returned to British Columbia on May 10, officials said. They included a couple in their 70s from the Yukon. Another traveller in their 70s was from Vancouver Island. The fourth was a BC person in their 50s who lives abroad. All four were placed in isolation.

Hantavirus risk assessment and public health response

Dr Bonnie Henry said the virus differs from COVID-19 and was not seen as having pandemic potential. \"I want to reassure everybody in British Columbia that for most of us the situation has not changed,\" she said. Dr Bonnie Henry said infection control steps were used from arrival.

Dr Bonnie Henry said officials planned for this possibility after the passengers returned. \"Clearly this is not what we hoped for, but it is what we planned for,\" Henry said. Dr Bonnie Henry added that public health teams would keep monitoring the isolated travellers as lab confirmation was awaited.

With inputs from PTI