Canada has confirmed the first case of the Andes hantavirus following testing of a presumptive case in British Columbia. In a statement, British Columbia provincial health officer Dr Bonnie Henry announced that the individual, who tested positive, is a Canadian traveller from the virus-stricken vessel. He quarantined among four other Canadians who got exposed to the rare strain of the disease aboard the Antarctic cruise ship.
The individual began developing mild symptoms, including fever and headache, and recently tested positive. Their health started to deteriorate two days ago. Both he and his partner were transferred to the hospital in Victoria, B.C., for further assessment and testing.
The patient, a Yukon resident, was isolating in B.C. when they began experiencing symptoms of the illness. He heals officials have not identified the individual with a name, but he was isolating with his partner after returning from the voyage. The group aboard the ship included two people from British Columbia and a couple from the Yukon. They all ranged in age from their 50s to 70s.
The positive result of the new Hantavirus case is being considered presumptive pending confirmatory testing from Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, according to Canadian local reports. That confirmation was announced in a news release on Sunday.
It has been confirmed that the Yukon resident’s partner has tested negative for the virus.
A Case Transferred to Hospital ‘Due to Abundance of Caution’
Of the total four individuals who were brought to B.C., a third has been transferred to the hospital out of “an abundance of caution,” the health officials noted. The fourth traveller continues to isolate at home and is being monitored for any symptoms. According to the Canadian Press, all nine Canadians who had high-risk exposure to the hantavirus have been put under quarantine. Health officials have said that they will continue to be monitored closely. These individuals are residents of Ontario, Alberta and B.C. None of the high-risk individuals had any contact with the public during their transfer from Victoria International Airport. Health Officials used protective gear throughout the process of receiving and isolating them.
As of Sunday, no further cases of Andes hantavirus have been identified. According to the World Health Organisation, on board the MV Hondius expedition cruise ship, a total 10 cases linked to the outbreak were detected. At least three among those infected have succumbed to the disease. Eight of those cases have been laboratory confirmed for the Andes virus strain. The other two are considered probable cases.
The WHO officials revised the total cases of the hantavirus Andes rain infection from 11 to 10 cases after a previously inconclusive test involving an American passenger came back negative.
All nine Canadians who had high-risk exposure are isolating and will continue to be monitored closely by public health. These individuals are found in Ontario, Alberta and B.C. “We want to thank public health authorities and front-line staff in British Columbia for the dedicated care that they are providing and for their ongoing management of the situation, and the passengers for their cooperation with public health direction to help keep others safe,” said Dr Joss Reimer, chief public health officer of Canada.
Another 27 people across the country are being monitored by public health authorities for symptoms after sharing flights with a person confirmed to have hantavirus.
