The MV Hondius cruise ship is anchored at a port in Praia, Cape Verde, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
Two residents from Ontario are currently isolating at home in their rural area after getting off a cruise ship that has now reported a hantavirus outbreak. Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, mentioned that the couple shows no symptoms and the risk level in the province remains very low.
Moore talked with The Canadian Press about what is known regarding the virus, how public health officials are keeping tabs on it, and how the COVID-19 pandemic is influencing this response to the outbreak. This interview has been summarized.
This might be the first time many individuals have heard about hantavirus. What should people know about it?
Hantavirus is uncommon and typically transmits from animals to humans; however, this particular South American strain can spread between humans as well, according to Moore.
“Argentina has experience, and has shared that experience with the global community on how they follow up on it, and they’ve shared the samples, the genomics of the virus, so we understand the virus makeup. The one different thing is, for this virus, we still don’t have a vaccine, nor do we have a treatment, but we have some experimental treatments that may be effective… So I hope you’re hearing: known virus, known pathway of spread, very limited human to human spread, but it does occur, and mainly from exposure in the Southern Hemisphere.”
What do we know about the Ontario couple who were exposed to this virus on that cruise ship? How are they doing?
They’re symptom-free and haven’t experienced any symptoms since leaving the cruise ship; they’re also keeping in daily contact with public health officials as noted by Moore.
“If between the daily contact they develop symptoms, they have a number to call; we will co-ordinate care and testing and follow-up for these individuals. We’ll keep all our health system partners informed if they ever need treatment. We will monitor them for around 45 days – roughly 45 days is considered as longest potential incubation period for this virus – ensuring there’s low risk of transmission. They’re doing very well in good spirits and are regularly communicating with local public health while thankfully taking necessary steps to protect everyone else in their community… (It’s 45 days) from their flight leaving (the remote South Atlantic island of) St. Helena heading to Johannesburg due to having an ill passenger on board that flight. So not only were they exposed on board but also during their flight. We’re being extremely cautious; hence it’s 45 days from April 25.”
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Public health officials must have picked up many lessons during COVID-19 pandemic times. How are those lessons being utilized now?
The importance of strong communication and teamwork was a crucial lesson learned which becomes essential during an outbreak occurring at sea involving passengers coming from over 20 countries stated Moore.
“We want to ensure we’re consistent like other nations when it comes to protecting against preventing further spread of this type.. Thankfully this virus carries low risk when spreading among others while WHO declared it as low-risk globally but there’s always lessons learned involved here as well.. It’s unique for something like this happening aboard a ship located right smack in middle Atlantic where transmission likely occurred back in Argentina before making its way onto ship.”
Mentioning isolation along with contact tracing brings back memories from past pandemic days for many individuals-is that affecting our perspective toward this current outbreak?
Moore expressed his aim is reassuring people saying it’s not COVID.
“I feel tremendous empathy towards public’s concerns here! I hope it doesn’t trigger too many emotions within individuals but I assure Ontarians we’ve got plan set up already! We’ve become experts related such activities around monitoring/testing/contact tracing ensuring Ontarians receive appropriate care swiftly! We’re fully equipped handling these situations now!”
This report by The Canadian Press was first May 8th ,2026.
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