Overview
- British Columbia health officials confirmed the Canadian who tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus was discharged from hospital late last week after recovering.
- The Public Health Agency of Canada had earlier confirmed the case through laboratory testing in the Canadian who was isolating in B.C.
- Four Canadians who were flown home from the MV Hondius on May 10 have been isolating on Vancouver Island since their return and three remain asymptomatic in a 42-day quarantine monitored daily by Island Health.
- International reports link the MV Hondius cluster to roughly 11–13 cases and three deaths, and Argentine authorities are expanding an investigation into a likely pre-cruise exposure in Ushuaia.
- Health agencies say Andes hantavirus is mainly rodent-borne, can rarely spread between people after prolonged close contact, has an incubation period up to 42 days, and has no approved antiviral or vaccine so response relies on isolation, monitoring and supportive care.