Canadian health officials have confirmed the country’s first case of the Andes strain of hantavirus in a person isolating in B.C. after returning from the MV Hondius cruise ship.
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, reported that one of four people isolating in B.C. after returning from the cruise ship tested positive for hantavirus.
“On arrival all four people were assessed and none presented symptoms at that time. Keeping with our established public health protocols, they were transferred directly following all the infection control precautions to lodgings that were procured by Island Health to begin a period of quarantine, which is a minimum of 21 days,” said Henry.
The individual developed mild symptoms a few days ago, including a fever and headache, and tested presumptively positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus.
Henry said officials followed established public health protocols and completed assessments quickly.
“Protocols were followed to bring them and their person they were isolating with to a tertiary care hospital here in Victoria, where they were both assessed and tested for Hantavirus. Late last evening, the BC CDC public health lab reported that the test on the individual who had these mild symptoms was positive for the Andes strain of Hantavirus virus,” said Henry.
Henry said the result is considered a presumptive positive and samples have been sent for confirmatory testing, with more results expected.
“The test that was done at the BC CDC, samples were sent to the national microbiology lab in Winnipeg and arrived today for confirmatory testing. Two different types of confirmatory tests have been done and will be back later today and tomorrow,” Henry said.
B.C. health officials reported the patient is stable, symptoms remain mild and the person is being monitored in hospital isolation.
The other people connected to the case are also being monitored and isolated as a precaution. The outer limit of the incubation period for this strain of hantavirus is 42 days and the individuals isolating are in the primary risk window.
“It was May 2 when the Andis virus outbreak was identified so the individuals are now at the key risk period. The period of highest risk to develop symptoms is around the 18 day mark. So if those in quarantine develop symptoms, they have processes in place to be sure they can be taken safely to a hospital where they can be assessed and tested and treated,” she said.
Henry said two of the four people are a couple, including the individual who tested positive.
“The partner isolating with the person who is now in isolation had very minor symptoms on assessment but testing was negative. The couple will, however, remain in hospital for further monitoring and assessment and under infection control precautions until we get a better sense of what is happening,” said Henry.
Henry said strict infection-control measures were used from the start and officials do not believe the public or health-care workers are at risk.
“I want to reassure everybody in British Columbia that for most of us the situation has not changed. We’ve had infection control precautions in place since the moment these people arrived in British Columbia and I’m confident there’s no additional risk to anybody outside of the people who are caring for these individuals. They have had no contact with the public and healthcare workers are using well established protocols that are able to protect them, the other patients in the healthcare facility and visitors as well. These protocols are designed to keep the public and healthcare workers safe,” said Henry.
The other individuals who do not have symptoms are still isolating.
“Out of precaution, the certain individual who is also isolated in the lodging, arranged by Island Health has also been transferred to hospital for assessment and monitoring. The fourth person who arrived from the cruise ship remains isolated at home and will continue to be monitored daily by public health, and again if testing is required, if they develop any symptoms, the protocols are in place to ensure that that can be done safely,” Henry said.
Henry stressed hantavirus is not the same as other viruses seen in the past.
“I want to emphasize that Hantavirus is a very different virus then the other respiratory viruses that we’ve been dealing with like Covid, like influenza, like measles, and it remains one that we do not consider to have pandemic potential,” said Henry.
Dr. Réka Gustafson, vice-president of population health and chief medical officer for Island Health, said hospitals remain safe and people should not delay seeking medical care.
“Some people may wonder if caring for an affected patient in our hospital will affect your care or the services that are available to you. I want to let you know there is absolutely no need to delay seeking care in Island Health today, should you or your family need it. Our hospitals care for patients with serious medical conditions, including infections every day. Our hospitals remain safe places to visit and seek care,” said Gustafson.
Gustafson added that although the situation is not what officials hoped for, it is what they planned for.
“Island health has highly experienced teams managing infectious diseases, and we have plans in place, but most importantly we came together early and regularly so that we can manage this situation as it evolves. The infection control measures in place are specifically designed for situations like this and are working as intended,” said Gustafson.
B.C. health officials said they are committed to keeping the public informed as the situation evolves.
