Vancouver, British Columbia — One of four Canadians who returned home from a cruise ship where one Hantavirus Canadian officials said Saturday that the outbreak has received a “presumptive positive” test result for the virus.
Dr. Bonnie Henry, the province’s public health officer, said results from the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg to confirm the case are expected over the weekend. British Columbia.
“Obviously it’s not what we expected, but it’s what we planned for,” Henry said.
The man, who was a member of a couple aged over 70, started showing mild symptoms including fever and headache two days ago. Both are in a hospital in Victoria.
“The patient is stable, symptoms remain mild at this time,” Henry said. “They are still in the hospital, in isolation, being monitored and receiving care as needed.”
The second person showed “very mild symptoms” and tested negative, he said.
“It is encouraging that the symptoms were identified early, supportive care can be provided and he will be carefully monitored over the next few days,” Henry said.
Three people have died since the hantavirus outbreak began on the MV Hondius. If confirmed, the Canadian patient would be the 10th person to test positive on the ship. outbreak on board has reached 12 cases, of which nine have been confirmed. one of the dead dutch couple Health officials believe he was first exposed to the virus during a trip to South America.
The four Canadians returned to British Columbia on May 10. In addition to a couple in their 70s from the Yukon, there was a 70-year-old man from Vancouver Island and a 50-year-old BC man from British Columbia who lives abroad.
Everyone was in isolation.
Henry said hantavirus is different from COVID-19 and is not considered “pandemic potential.”
“I want to reassure everyone in (British Columbia) that the situation has not changed for most of us,” she said. “We took infection control precautions from the moment these individuals arrived in British Columbia.
“I am confident there is no additional risk. We are prepared to respond carefully and appropriately to keep everyone safe.”
