Self-isolation ends for hantavirus cruise ship contacts
The Public Health Agency says the isolation period is over for people exposed to the deadly outbreak that began in April.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
The Public Health Agency of Canada says people exposed to a deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship no longer need to isolate.
A Canadian who tested positive for the rare rodent-borne virus has recovered. The Yukon man in his 70s was discharged from hospital earlier this month and was isolating on Vancouver Island.
Eight other travellers who were exposed were being monitored by public health officials in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. The virus typically takes two to three weeks for symptoms to appear.
As of last week, the isolation period ended for everyone. The outbreak began on the MV Hondius cruise ship in April, with more than 120 people disembarking in Spain's Canary Islands in early May. Three people died and 13 total were infected, according to the World Health Organization. Hantavirus infections carry a fatality rate of 30 to 50 per cent, with symptoms including fever, headaches and difficulty breathing.
