Hantavirus

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents including mice and rats. These viruses are found worldwide and can cause severe illness in people. Hantaviruses can cause two types of diseases: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) or Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS). HPS is caused by hantaviruses found in North and South America. HFRS is caused by hantaviruses found mostly in Europe and Asia.

Hantaviruses are not usually spread person-to-person, except for the Andes strain which is found in South America (Argentina and Chile). Limited person-to-person spread of the Andes strain is usually associated with close and prolonged contact (e.g., household contact) with an infected person.

Symptoms of HPS usually start two to four weeks after exposure but can start anywhere from one to six weeks after exposure.

Symptoms of HPS include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Cough

More serious symptoms may include shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

Symptoms of HFRS usually start two to four weeks after exposure but can start anywhere from one week to two months after exposure.

Symptoms of HFRS include:

  • Severe headaches
  • Back and stomach pain
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Nausea
  • Blurred vision
  • Flushed face
  • Red eyes
  • Rash

Other symptoms that may show up later include low blood pressure, internal bleeding and kidney failure.

Hantaviruses are carried by infected rodents including mice and rats. People can get infected when they:

  • Inhale virus particles from rodent urine, droppings (poop) or saliva that have been released into the air.
  • Touch objects or eat food contaminated with urine, droppings (poop) or saliva of infected rodents
  • Are bitten by an infected rodent

Hantaviruses are not usually spread person-to-person, except for the Andes strain which is found in South America (Argentina and Chile). This usually happens after close, prolonged contact  (e.g., household contact) with an infected person and is more likely to occur during the early stages of infection.

The risk of getting infected with a hantavirus in Canada is low. However, anyone who comes into contact with rodent urine, droppings or saliva can be at risk.

Rodent infestation in and around the home is the main risk for exposure. Infestations and possible exposure can happen wherever rodents are present including cottages, trailers, and garden sheds.

If you think you may be infected with the Andes hantavirus strain, before you visit a doctor or a hospital, call Toronto Public Health immediately.

Toronto residents should call 416-338-7600, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or call 311 after hours and ask to speak to the Communicable Disease Manager. Let health care workers know of your potential exposure to the Andes hantavirus strain before seeking health care.

Toronto Public Health will make appropriate arrangements for your medical assessment.

If you think you are infected with the Andes hantavirus strain, it is important that you isolate immediately:

  • Stay home, separate yourself from those around you and do not have physical contact with people, pets or animals.
  • Do not take public transportation, taxi or ride share.
  • Wash or sanitize your hands often and cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue.
  • Wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask (N95 mask) if you need to go out or if seeking medical care

A hantavirus infection is diagnosed by a health care provider based on symptoms, a person’s risk for exposure to the disease (e.g., exposure to rodents, recent travel to an area where the disease is spreading) and laboratory test results. A blood sample is collected for testing if a hantavirus infection is suspected.

There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection. Hospitalization may be needed for serious illness. Treatment is focused on helping symptoms, including rest, hydration and getting oxygen.

There is no vaccine for hantavirus.

The best way to protect yourself from getting infected with a hantavirus is to avoid contact with rodents and their environments:

  • Store food, water and garbage in containers with tightly fitted lids
  • Limit possible nesting sites in the home by sealing holes, blocking openings and other possible entrances for rodents.
  • Use mouse traps and rodenticides if needed.
  • Do not sweep or vacuum areas where rodents are present. Use a wet mop or towel moistened with disinfectant. Disinfect areas where rodents are present by spraying a disinfectant solution, e.g., diluted bleach (one part bleach to nine parts water).
  • Wear gloves when cleaning rodent contaminated areas and wash your hands with soap and water after cleaning.
  • Avoid breathing dust by using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtered respirator when cleaning previously unoccupied areas or confined spaces.
  • Avoid wild rodents and direct contact with areas where there is evidence of rodents.
  • Avoid close and prolonged contact with people infected or suspected of being infected with the Andes strain as person-to-person spread is possible.

Call Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 (TTY at 416-392-0658) or speak to your health care provider. You can also call 811 to connect to a registered nurse day or night for free, secure and confidential health advice.

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