Canada's top doctor is urging Canadians to steer clear of rodents after a rare hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship. Dr. Joss Reimer, Canada's chief public health officer, says the overall risk to the general population is low.
Ten Canadians are suspected to have had contact with the virus-six within Canada and four on the MV Hondius, a Dutch cruise ship where the outbreak occurred in April. Three people connected to the cruise are isolating at home in Ontario and Quebec without symptoms. Local health authorities are investigating two additional cases in Alberta and one in Ontario.
Dr. Reimer emphasized there is no evidence that asymptomatic individuals can spread hantavirus. Humans typically inhale the virus from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. The specific strain involved, the Andes virus, is found in South America and is the only hantavirus known to cause limited human-to-human transmission.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel stated the risk remains low and every effort is being made to prevent further spread. The World Health Organization reports eight cases and three deaths from the outbreak, adding that more cases are possible but an epidemic is unlikely.