Daijiworld Media Network - Vancouver
Vancouver, May 17: Health authorities in British Columbia have confirmed that a cruise ship passenger currently under isolation has tested presumptive positive for Hantavirus following an outbreak linked to the vessel MV Hondius.
Provincial health officer Bonnie Henry said the patient began experiencing mild symptoms, including fever and headache, two days ago and was later admitted to a local hospital. Preliminary test results confirming the suspected infection were received on Friday, and the individual is presently being treated in isolation as a precautionary positive case.
Officials stated that the test result is still awaiting final confirmation from a microbiology laboratory, which is expected over the weekend.
The infected passenger is among 10 Canadians nationwide currently placed in isolation due to the outbreak aboard the cruise ship. Of these, four individuals are undergoing monitored 21-day isolation in British Columbia, while the remaining six are located in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. Authorities confirmed that the patient’s partner has tested negative for the virus.
Henry assured the public that none of the isolated individuals had interacted with the public during transportation or medical transfer procedures. She also stated that all healthcare workers involved used full personal protective equipment while handling the cases.
Seeking to ease public concerns, Henry emphasized that hantavirus does not possess “pandemic potential” and said there is no reason for widespread alarm.
The outbreak on board the MV Hondius has reportedly resulted in three deaths so far. Health officials noted that the incubation period for hantavirus can range from one to eight weeks.
Meanwhile, authorities in the Netherlands announced that the affected cruise ship is expected to arrive at the Port of Rotterdam on Monday. Most crew members are expected to undergo a six-week quarantine period after arrival.
According to a joint statement issued by Dutch Health Minister Sophie Hermans and Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, Rotterdam has been designated as the Netherlands’ primary port for handling infectious disease cases related to maritime transport.
Cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions said there are currently 27 people on board the vessel, including 25 crew members and two medical personnel. The group includes nationals from the Philippines, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia, and Poland.
Dutch authorities stated that some crew members would be allowed to quarantine at home upon arrival, while others unable to immediately return to their home countries would be accommodated in designated quarantine facilities.
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has reportedly advised that the 17 Filipino crew members remain in the Netherlands throughout the full six-week quarantine period.