A Canadian tourist has tested positive for hantavirus after departing from a luxury cruise ship that experienced an outbreak of the Andes strain of the virus, British Columbia's government confirmed on Saturday.
Patient in Stable Condition
The individual, who developed mild symptoms and was tested at a hospital in Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, is one of four Canadians currently isolating on the island after leaving the MV Hondius, a Dutch luxury cruise ship that set sail from Argentina on a polar expedition on 1 April.
The group consisted of two couples: one from Yukon and another from British Columbia. The person who tested positive is from Yukon, officials said.
Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC's provincial health officer, stated that the Yukon couple is being tested in British Columbia because such testing is unavailable in the northern territory. She added that the four individuals had no public contact during their transfer from the flight to Victoria. The infected person remains in stable condition.
Andes Strain of Hantavirus
The Andes strain of hantavirus, identified in the outbreak aboard the cruise ship, can cause severe lung illness that may be fatal in up to 50 percent of cases, according to the World Health Organization. Hantaviruses are typically spread by rodents, but in rare instances, they can be transmitted from person to person. Health authorities have emphasized that the risk of widespread transmission is low.
