Three Canadians isolating at home following cruise hantavirus outbreak

Two Canadian passengers aboard a cruise ship where a hantavirus outbreak was identified have returned to Ontario and are isolating, the province’s health minister said Thursday morning.

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A third individual from Quebec, who was not on the cruise but came in contact with the other two on the same flight home, is also isolating, Canada’s foreign affairs minister said.

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Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones said it is believed that the travellers are not a risk to the public.

“They are actively being monitored and working with the local public health authorities on a daily basis to make sure the isolation is occurring,” Jones told media at an unrelated government announcement for cancer screening.

No information about where the individuals reside in the province was revealed.

Ontario receiving regular updates

Jones said her government is receiving regular updates not only for the two individuals but also in anticipation for anyone else returning to the country who may have come in contact with the deadly virus. There were four Canadians on board the cruise.

“The incubation and monitoring period will likely be in the 30-day period,” Jones said, adding the travellers’ isolation had already begun since their return.

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Jones stressed that local public health units are in charge of monitoring the individuals, and where warranted, further information will be released if necessary.

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“At this point, it is believed that they are not in any way a risk of transmission, but it is fluid and we’ll continue to have those monitoring situations.” Jones said.

She also said the federal government should have a consistent approach for when travellers return to the country following a disease outbreak.

“For these two individuals, they have been monitored and assessed on a daily basis.”

Third person isolating

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said in a statement to social media that a third person is isolating after possibly coming in contact with an asymptomatic individual.

“All three are asymptomatic, have received guidance to self-isolate, and are being monitored by local authorities for the development of symptoms,” Anand said.

According to the World Heath Organization, the third individual is not considered a high-risk close contact.

Hantavirus is a serious respiratory illness caused by contact with feces, urine or saliva of infected rodents, which can be potentially fatal.

A hantavirus outbreak was detected in early May on the cruise ship MV Hondius, which set sail from Argentina last month.

There have been three reported deaths among eight suspected and five confirmed cases.