Four Canadian citizens who were on a cruise ship affected by a rare hantavirus outbreak have arrived in British Columbia for continued quarantine after landing at Victoria Airport. Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s health officer, mentioned that the individuals have ties to the province and will undergo isolation there. The passengers will be staying at pre-arranged accommodations for a minimum of 21 days, with the potential for extension up to 42 days if needed.
The Public Health Agency of Canada stated that the Canadians initially flew from Tenerife, Spain, to Bagotville, Quebec, on a chartered plane. Upon arrival in British Columbia, local health authorities will evaluate the travelers before directing them to their designated isolation site. The health officials will reevaluate the situation at the end of the isolation period.
Dr. Bonnie Henry assured that the passengers will not have contact with the public during their quarantine and will be closely monitored by local health teams. While treating the passengers as potentially exposed to the virus, none have displayed symptoms yet. Plans are in place to ensure public safety if any passenger becomes ill.
Regarding the hantavirus outbreak, Dr. Henry emphasized the differences between hantavirus and COVID-19 in terms of transmission and symptoms. She acknowledged the public’s anxiety but stressed that the hantavirus strain the passengers were exposed to requires close contact for transmission. The passengers from the cruise ship had significant exposure, making it unlikely for them to spread the virus during isolation.
The Andes strain of hantavirus is distinct from the strain found in British Columbia, which is typically transmitted through rodent waste. The passengers, who have been following isolation protocols since May 4, were asymptomatic as they arrived in B.C. A Canadian consular official provided support to the Canadians in Tenerife, and health screenings were conducted before their repatriation flight.
Three fatalities have been reported, with five infected passengers from the cruise ship. While hantavirus is usually contracted through inhaling contaminated rodent excrement, the Andes virus strain may have rare human-to-human transmission capabilities. Several Canadians have been instructed to self-isolate due to potential exposure to infected individuals.
