The Yukon flag waves outside the Yukon Legislature. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – Yukon’s chief medical officer of health says two Yukoners exposed to a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship are isolating in British Columbia.
Dr. Sudit Ranade says the couple is isolating in the province, where officials say they are better equipped to respond if they become seriously ill, for at least 21 days after returning to Canada on Sunday. He says neither person is showing symptoms and there is no risk to the public in Yukon.
Ranade says Andes hantavirus spreads very differently from COVID-19.
“Although there are lots of indications that this is not going to be a pandemic-level threat I think it’s important for us to remember that with person-to-person transmission of viruses that can be severe we will not know for sure until enough time has elapsed,” said Dr. Ranade.
Health officials say the virus can worsen quickly and patients may need specialized care. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, coughing and shortness of breath.
