The chief medical officer of health in Ontario has confirmed that two residents from the province, who were aboard a cruise ship with individuals diagnosed with hantavirus, are in positive spirits and exhibiting no symptoms, while they remain isolated in their rural community.
Dr. Kieran Moore indicated that the couple, located within the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit’s jurisdiction, will be under observation for a duration of 45 days, which is the maximum incubation period for this lethal virus.
The couple disembarked from the cruise ship on the isolated South Atlantic island of St. Helena in late April before flying to Johannesburg, South Africa. An infected individual was also on that flight, thus exposing the couple in two different environments.
According to Moore, there is minimal to no threat to the public in Ontario, and the couple continues to show no symptoms.
There are still four other Canadians aboard the cruise ship, which has reported a total of eight cases, including three fatalities linked to the outbreak of the Andes virus, the only known hantavirus that can be transmitted in limited cases between humans.
Moore specified that none of the Canadians still on the ship are from Ontario.
World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated Thursday that his organization will collaborate with a cruise line operator and government officials following reported hantavirus cases among travelers. Medical teams are set to provide care for patients and work towards “preventing further transmission of the virus.”
The chief medical officer noted that a national teleconference took place yesterday, bringing together public health leaders to coordinate efforts among federal, provincial, and territorial partners.
Although the risk of widespread transmission remains low, he recognizes that the mention of “contact tracing” may cause anxiety for some individuals, particularly since it has not been a common term since the pandemic.
-
3 Canadians isolating in Ontario, Quebec after hantavirus ship outbreak
-
Deadly hantavirus outbreak on ship poses ‘low’ risk to wider public, WHO says
“I hope this does not cause undue alarm, but I want to reassure Ontarians that we have a strategy in place. We are gaining expertise in contact tracing, monitoring, testing, and ensuring that Ontarians receive appropriate care in a timely manner,” Moore stated.
Consular representatives are heading to the Canary Islands to meet the MV Hondius, which is carrying over 140 asymptomatic passengers and crew, set to dock this weekend in Granadilla, Tenerife.
