Hantaviruses have come into global focus following a recent outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius.
While the risk of a widespread outbreak is low, hantaviruses can cause severe illnesses and present serious risk to public health.
Here's what you need to know about hantavirus.
What is hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are carried by rodents, such as rats, mice and voles, and include several different species of virus.
They are typically spread when aerosolized rodent droppings, urine or saliva become airborne and are inhaled. Hantavirus infections may also be contracted by eating contaminated food or water, or, rarely, through rodent bites.
"When they get into humans, hantaviruses can cause serious infections," says Dr. Susy Hota, division head of infectious diseases at University Health Network.
Andes virus, the species of hantavirus linked to the outbreak on MV Hondius, and Sin Nombre virus, a species present in Canada, can cause a condition called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a severe illness that can be fatal.
Other hantavirus species can cause a severe condition known as hantavirus hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.
Should I be worried about hantavirus? Could it cause another pandemic?
Hantaviruses are different from viruses that have led to pandemics, such as COVID-19.
"Based on what we know currently, hantaviruses are unlikely to cause a pandemic," says Dr. Hota.
"Unlike COVID-19, which spread quite easily from person-to-person, the hantaviruses are not as transmissible, and they also don't tend to change very easily."
While the risk remains low, awareness and prevention are important.
