The following is an important communication providing hantavirus information from the Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services.
Hantavirus (Andes virus) cruise ship outbreak
The risk of the hantavirus (Andes virus) in our province remains very low. Public health officials in Alberta, together with federal partners, are actively monitoring the situation closely.
As of May 14, only two Albertans are considered as higher-risk and potentially exposed due to contact with someone who was on board.
It’s important to remember that not everyone exposed to the virus actually acquires it. Person-to-person transmission of this type of hantavirus is uncommon and has only been documented following prolonged close contact. There is no evidence that asymptomatic individuals can spread the hantavirus to others.
Alberta’s public health system regularly manages rare infectious diseases. Experienced teams and established protocols are in place to monitor, test and respond if needed to prevent spread.
The province’s public health system will continue to monitor the situation, work closely with federal counterparts, and take whatever steps are needed to protect public health.
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