In British Columbia, a Canadian individual has tested positive for the hantavirus after exposure aboard a cruise ship. This update was shared by Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, who noted that the individual began showing mild symptoms such as fever and headache two days prior. Both the affected individual and their partner, who shared the cruise journey, were moved to a hospital in Victoria for further evaluation.
Dr. Henry emphasized that the test results are currently classified as “presumptive positive,” with samples sent to Winnipeg’s national microbiology lab for confirmation, expected over the weekend. Despite the unexpected development, Henry stated, “Clearly this is not what we hoped for, but it is what we planned for.” The patient remains stable with mild symptoms and continues to receive care in isolation at the hospital, while their partner tested negative but is also under hospital observation.
In addition to these two, a third individual who had been quarantining at the same location was also brought to the hospital as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, a fourth person is isolating at home under daily monitoring. These four Canadians were passengers on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius, where the hantavirus outbreak was first detected. They arrived in Victoria on May 10 without symptoms and were immediately quarantined for at least 21 days.
Meanwhile, France’s Pasteur Institute has successfully sequenced the Andes virus identified in a French passenger from the same cruise ship. Their analysis indicates the virus aligns closely with known strains in South America, showing no new traits that would increase its transmissibility or severity. The virus found in passengers from the ship is virtually identical and bears a 97% similarity to some Andes virus strains found in South American rodents, according to Jean-Claude Manuguerra, head of Pasteur’s environment and infectious risk unit. He noted that remaining genetic variations likely reflect natural differences without altering the virus’s characteristics.
Since April 11, the hantavirus outbreak on the cruise ship has tragically resulted in the deaths of three passengers: a Dutch couple and a German woman. The situation continues to be closely monitored as health officials work to contain the virus and prevent further spread.