Provincial health officials have released a statement to let Manitobans know that the hantavirus present in Manitoba is a different strain from the one linked to an outbreak on a cruise ship in May.
According to a release from the provincial government, the strain of the virus present in Manitoba is called the Sin Nombre strain, and there have been no reported cases of this strain in Manitoba since 2016. They also said the risk of contracting the virus in Manitoba remains low.
The Sin Nombre strain of the virus is not known to spread person to person. It spreads primarily through airborne particles, which must be inhaled. Per the release, this is most likely to occur when dried rodent droppings, urine, or saliva are distributed during cleaning activities.
Officials say the strain of the virus identified in South America (which is known as the Andes virus) is the one associated with the outbreak on the Dutch-flagged cruise ship outbreak. They also said it is not found in Manitoba rodents, and no cases of it have been identified in the province.
