Hantavirus

Current situation: May 2026

The overall risk in Canada to the general population from the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship remains low. Because transmission requires close, prolonged contact, person-to-person spread in Canada isn't expected, even if an infected individual were to arrive in the country.

What causes hantavirus infection?

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause severe illness in humans. People can become infected with a hantavirus when they:

• inhale virus particles from rodent urine, droppings or saliva that have been released into the air. This can happen when rodent waste is stirred up from vacuuming or sweeping
• touch objects or eat food contaminated with the urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents
• are bitten by a rodent infected with a hantavirus (this is rare)

With the exception of the Andes hantavirus, the virus does not spread through person-to-person contact.

More information about the symptoms, prevention and treatment of hantavirus infections can be found on the Government of Canada website.