Passengers on the the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship, MV Hondius, watch epidemiologists board the boat in Praia on Wednesday, during their voyage to Spain's port of Tenerife.The Associated Press
An Ontario couple who are self-isolating after disembarking the cruise ship struck by a hantavirus outbreak had two high-risk exposures to the deadly virus before returning home, according to the province’s top doctor.
Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, on Friday provided additional details on the two individuals. The pair are being monitored by health authorities and isolating in the Grey Bruce region, a predominantly rural area of Southwestern Ontario.
The individuals were exposed to the virus on the Oceanwide Expeditions cruise ship and also on a flight where an ill patient from the cruise was on board, he said.
Countries race to contain spread of hantavirus after cruise ship outbreak
“That’s why we’re considering it a high risk, prolonged exposure both for cruise ship, as well as from the flight.”
In addition, four other Canadians now in the country are self-isolating and four more remain on the cruise ship and are being monitored by Canadian health officials.
Hantavirus is a rare but severe disease that can cause death. Human infections are primarily acquired through the inhalation of contaminated residue from rodent urine, feces or saliva.
The World Health Organization, in a Friday update, said a total of eight cases have been reported, six of which have been laboratory-confirmed as the Andes strain of hantavirus. Three people, a Dutch couple and a German national, have died.
An investigation into the source of the outbreak on the cruise ship is continuing. But it is believed the cases were initially contracted during a bird-watching trip in Ushuaia, Argentina, prior to the ship setting sail on April 1 toward the Canary Islands.
The South American country has seen a surge of about 100 hantavirus cases over the past year.
What is hantavirus, how does it spread and what are the symptoms?
The couple in Ontario have not shown symptoms of the Andes strain of hantavirus. But officials from Grey Bruce Public Health are in daily contact with the pair who are monitoring for fever, muscle aches and flu-like symptoms consistent with the strain, Dr. Moore said.
Daily check-ins will last for 45 straight days, which is the longest possible incubation period, he said. This is based on guidance from Argentinian officials who are experts on this virus.
He said the couple lives “fairly remotely” and there is very low risk of exposure to others. No contact tracing has been required. They are in full co-operation, Dr. Moore added.
There has not been a reported case of hantavirus in Ontario since it started being tracked in 2001.
Despite a cruise ship outbreak of a rare rodent-borne illness, global health officials say the risk to the general public remains low because hantavirus germs do not easily spread between people.
The Associated Press
In addition to the Ontario couple, a third Canadian is isolating at home in Quebec. This individual was not on the ship, but came in contact with a symptomatic individual on a flight home and is asymptomatic. The WHO does not consider them a high risk close contact.
Joss Reimer, chief public health officer of Canada, said the Canadians on a Johannesburg, South Africa, flight on April 25 returned home shortly after. Ottawa was notified of the cluster of cases on May 2.
Dr. Reimer said they were made aware of another flight with potential exposures on Thursday. She said public-health investigations are under way regarding three additional Canadians who may have had a brief contact with a confirmed case on that flight. Two have returned to Alberta and one to Ontario.
“There is no evidence that asymptomatic individuals can spread hantavirus to others. However, as illness could develop at any time, we are still recommending that these individuals stay isolated until their risk period for the appearance of infection has passed,” she said.
“All of the individuals who potentially were in contact with cases and are in Canada have been given guidance on isolation.”
Take hantavirus precautions when opening cottages, sheds, PHAC expert advises
Four other Canadians are still on the MV Hondius cruise ship off the west coast of Africa. Dr. Reimer said they have been in contact with these individuals and none are symptomatic.
As of May 2, the ship operator said there were 147 passengers and crew onboard, and 34 passengers and crew had previously disembarked.
A Canadian public-health officer is travelling to the Canary Islands, where the ship is expected to arrive this weekend, to support the remaining Canadian nationals. This officer will ensure all protocols are followed when they arrive home.
“At this time, the overall risk to the general population in connection with this outbreak of the Andes hantavirus is low,” Dr. Reimer said. “Onward spread within Canada is not expected.”