Canada to brief on Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks and tests

Canada's chief public health officer is scheduled to provide an update on two international virus outbreaks that have prompted increased vigilance from domestic health authorities. Dr. Joss Reimer will speak alongside officials from Global Affairs Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency regarding a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship and a concerning Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.

The World Health Organization's Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, addressed both situations, announcing an elevated risk assessment for the Ebola outbreak. He stated the national and regional risk levels in Africa have been raised from high to very high, though the global risk remains low. Officials report nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths from this rare type of Ebola, which is spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

In Canada, Ontario's health ministry confirmed it is testing an individual who recently returned from East Africa for Ebola as a precaution. Samples arrived at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg, with results expected soon.

Regarding hantavirus, a Canadian resident from Yukon has tested positive after disembarking...