Hantavirus

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause severe illness in humans. The 2 most prevalent illnesses are:

• Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (found in North and South America)
• Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (found mainly in Europe and Asia)

People can get hantavirus when they breathe in tiny particles of rodent waste (urine, droppings or saliva) that are infected with the virus. This can occur when the rodent waste is stirred into the air such as through vacuuming or sweeping. Rodent waste can be safely cleaned with bleach and household disinfectants.

Infection can also occur when people touch objects or eat food contaminated with the urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents. While rare, a bite from an infected rodent can also result in exposure to the virus.

Infection with hantavirus can be fatal and there are currently no treatments available. See your doctor immediately if you had contact with a rodent or their urine or droppings and are experiencing illness.

Hantavirus infections do occur in Canada but are rare. The risk to Canadians is low.