India, May 18 -- Canada has confirmed the first case of the Andes hantavirus following testing of a presumptive case in British Columbia. In a statement, British Columbia provincial health officer Dr Bonnie Henry announced that the individual, who tested positive, is a Canadian traveller from the virus-stricken vessel. He quarantined among four other Canadians who got exposed to the rare strain of the disease aboard the Antarctic cruise ship.

The individual began developing mild symptoms, including fever and headache, and recently tested positive. Their health started to deteriorate two days ago. Both he and his partner were transferred to the hospital in Victoria, B.C., for further assessment and testing.

The patient, a Yukon resident,...