2 Albertans had contact with hantavirus case on flight

While the Andes hantavirus has not made its way to Alberta, the province does have a different strain. CTV News Edmonton's Curtis Goodrum has more.

Two Albertans had contact with someone later diagnosed with hantavirus, the Alberta government confirmed Friday afternoon.

“While travelling internationally, two Albertans had brief contact with an individual who was later diagnosed with hantavirus,” said Tom McMillan, communications director for Alberta Primary and Preventative Health Services.

The two people are feeling well and monitoring for symptoms at home, McMillan said.

“It’s important to note that not all exposures result in infection,” he went on to say. “Person-to-person transmission of this type of hantavirus is rare and has only been documented following prolonged close contact. There is no evidence that asymptomatic individuals can spread the hantavirus to others.

“We will continue to monitor the situation, work closely with federal counterparts, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.”

The two people were exposed on a flight and not the cruise ship that has reported an outbreak of the rodent-borne virus, Canada Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Joss Reimer said Friday.

The World Health Organization detected the outbreak on May 2. Three people who were on the cruise have died.

There are more than 140 asymptomatic passengers and crew on the ship, including four Canadians.

The ship is expected to dock in Spain on Sunday.

With files from The Canadian Press