After a hantavirus outbreak on a luxury cruise ship, most passengers have returned to their home countries, raising questions about the illness. The MV Hondius, the vessel at the center of the rare hantavirus outbreak, recently docked at Spain’s Canary Islands for passengers to disembark and be repatriated. Among those affected are four Canadian citizens currently self-isolating in British Columbia, along with two others from Ontario who disembarked earlier and are also in self-isolation. Furthermore, six additional Canadians from Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec, who had contact with potential hantavirus cases, are taking precautions by self-isolating as per public health guidelines.
As of the latest update, health officials report that none of the Canadians have been tested positive or are displaying symptoms. The most common hantavirus strain in Canada is known as Sin Nombre, distinct from the Andes strain, as per Dr. David Safronetz, chief of special pathogens at Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory. The Sin Nombre strain, prevalent in Canada, does not transmit between individuals but causes severe respiratory illness with a high fatality rate of about 30 to 40 percent.
In Canada, the three common rodents carrying hantavirus are the deer mouse, white-footed mouse, and red-backed vole, primarily found in rural wooded or open field areas. Cleaning contaminated areas with rodent droppings should be done cautiously, avoiding direct exposure. The spread of hantavirus among humans has limited documented cases, mainly through close and prolonged contact, as highlighted by experts.
Those who tested positive for hantavirus but are asymptomatic may have low risks of transmission, with evidence suggesting potential spread before symptom onset. Health authorities in Canada are not conducting tests on asymptomatic passengers in isolation due to the accuracy limitations of test results without symptoms. However, the United States plans to conduct selective testing based on individual cases.
Concerns about hantavirus transmission from pets exist, particularly rodents kept as pets. Although cases of hantavirus transmission from pet rodents have been documented, there is no evidence indicating transmission from cats or dogs. Pet owners should take precautions when handling rodents or deceased prey brought by pets to mitigate any potential risks.
The decision to disembark passengers from the cruise ship was largely influenced by the lack of adequate medical resources on board, necessitating evacuation for medical care if required. Overall, the risk of hantavirus in Canada remains low, with a limited number of reported cases and ongoing public health measures to mitigate potential outbreaks.
