Canada has confirmed its first hantavirus case after a passenger from the MV Hondius tested positive for the Andes strain. Provincial health authorities in British Columbia said the infected person is from Yukon and is quarantined along with their spouse. Officials reported that one in four Canadians on the ship tested positive.
Four travellers linked to Canada — two couples from Yukon and British Columbia — were identified; health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said they had been transferred to Victoria and had not contacted the public. Authorities stressed the overall risk to Canadians remains low but are taking a cautious approach because the Andes strain can cause severe lung illness and can be fatal in up to 50% of cases, according to the World Health Organization.
Hantaviruses normally spread from rodents, though some strains, including Andes, can rarely transmit between people. The UN health agency expects more cases related to the cruise outbreak but maintains the public risk is low. Canadian health officials continue contact tracing, quarantine measures and monitoring of travellers. They urged anyone recently on the MV Hondius to watch for respiratory symptoms and seek immediate care if they feel unwell.
