Climate Conditions and Rodent Populations Linked to Hantavirus Outbreak in Argentina
A Canadian who was on the MV Hondius, a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak in April, has tested presumptively positive for the virus.The individual, from Yukon, is one of four Canadians currently isolating on Vancouver Island after disembarking, and has only mild symptoms.The province’s senior health officer, Dr.Bonnie Henry, emphasized that the virus is very different from respiratory viruses like COVID-19 or influenza and does not have pandemic potential.Out of the six Canadians who were on the ship, two are isolating in Ontario, while two couples are on Vancouver Island.So far, none of the other passengers have tested positive.The cruise, which departed Argentina on April 1, recently docked in Tenerife, Canary Islands, allowing passengers to begin isolation.The ship is expected to arrive in Rotterdam, Netherlands, where the remaining crew will disembark.The World Health Organization recommends a 42-day isolation period for those exposed.Hantaviruses are typically rodent-borne, but the Andes strain can transmit between humans.Symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, stomach issues, vomiting, diarrhea, and shortness of breath.Health authorities indicate the risk of a major outbreak remains very low.