Hantavirus Risk Low In Ontario; Couple Asymptomatic And Isolating In Rural Area: Top Doctor

Ontario’s chief medical officer of health says two Ontario residents who were on a cruise ship with passengers infected with hantavirus are in good spirits and showing no symptoms, while isolating at home in their rural community.

Dr. Kieran Moore tells CityNews that the couple in the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit’s area are being monitored for 45 days, the longest potential incubation period for the deadly virus.

Moore says the couple disembarked the cruise ship on the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena in late April, then flew to Johannesburg, South Africa, and an infected person was on that flight, so the couple was exposed in two settings.

He says there is very little to no risk to the general public in Ontario, and the couple remains asymptomatic.

“The good news is they had no symptoms since leaving they ship and have remained symptom-free,” Moore explained. “We’re monitoring these individuals. We’ve committed to work them for 45 full days to monitor their symptoms and ensure if they get any, we provide the right care to them.”

Moore says the passengers are recommended to stay in isolation and have agreed not to leave their home.

Four other Canadians are still on board the cruise ship that has seen reports of eight cases, including three deaths from the outbreak of the rodent-borne Andes virus, the only hantavirus known to be capable of limited transmission between humans.

Consular officials are on their way to the Canary Islands to meet the MV Hondius, which is carrying more than 140 asymptomatic passengers and crew, when it docks this weekend in Granadilla, Tenerife.