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<\/p>\nBritish Columbia health officials say one of four Canadians isolating after exposure to a rare strain of hantavirus aboard an Antarctic cruise ship has tested positive.<\/p>\n
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In an update Saturday morning, Dr. Bonnie Henry spoke about Canadians isolating in B.C. following their return from the MV Hondius cruise ship.<\/p>\n
Henry said that a Yukon resident was isolating in B.C. when they developed mild symptoms, including a fever and headache, two days ago. They and their partner were transferred to hospital in Victoria for assessment and testing.<\/p>\n
\u201cLate 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,\u201d Henry said. \u201cThis is not what we hoped for, but it is what we planned for.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The positive result is considered presumptive pending confirmatory testing from Canada\u2019s National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, she said.<\/p>\n
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The second Yukon traveller tested negative, though they remain in hospital under monitoring and infection-control precautions. A third individual has also been transferred to hospital out of \u201can abundance of caution,\u201d while the fourth traveller continues isolating at home.<\/p>\n
The update comes after the World Health Organization identified the Andes strain of in passengers aboard the ship. Unlike most forms of hantavirus, the Andes strain can spread from person to person.<\/p>\n
The WHO has said the overall public risk remains low.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the meantime, everyone in BC should feel reassured that the systems and protocols we have in place are working,\u201d said Cromby.<\/p>\n
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She added that Island Health teams have spent the past week preparing for the travellers\u2019 arrival and ensuring hospital staff were trained and ready.<\/p>\n