After a hantavirus outbreak on the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, most passengers have returned to their home countries. Concerns linger regarding the illness as the ship docked in Spain’s Canary Islands, allowing passengers to disembark and return home. Four Canadian citizens are self-isolating in British Columbia, while two others from Ontario are also isolating after earlier disembarking. Additionally, six Canadians from Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec, who had contact with potential hantavirus cases, are self-isolating as a precaution.
As of Monday, none of the Canadians have shown symptoms or been tested for the virus. The most common hantavirus strain in Canada is known as Sin Nombre, which differs from the Andes strain and does not typically spread between people. The risk of hantavirus infection in Canada remains low, with under 170 reported cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome since surveillance began in the 1990s.
The primary rodents carrying hantavirus in Canada are the deer mouse, white-footed mouse, and red-backed vole, primarily found in rural wooded or open field areas. Transmission between humans for the Andes strain is limited, typically occurring through close and prolonged contact. In cases of asymptomatic carriers, while the risk of spreading the virus is low, transmission can potentially occur before symptoms manifest.
Regarding testing for hantavirus, health officials in Canada are not testing asymptomatic individuals as test accuracy may be compromised without symptoms. However, some countries opt for testing on a case-by-case basis. Pets, particularly rodents, can transmit hantavirus to humans, although there is no evidence suggesting cats or dogs can contract or spread the virus. Owners should exercise caution, especially if pets have access to hunting rodents, to minimize risks of exposure.