The Decibel A reality check on hantavirus risk in Canada
May 13, 2026
Kristy Kirkup, national health reporter at The Globe and Mail who covers infectious disease and public-health policy. She explains what the Andes hantavirus is and how it can rarely spread between people. She outlines symptoms and fatality patterns. She describes quarantine, monitoring and precautions for returnees. She assesses why the immediate risk to Canadians appears low while urging continued vigilance.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Andes Strain Linked To Rodents And Human Transmission
- Hantavirus infections usually come from contact with infected rodent urine, feces, or saliva.
- The outbreak on the MV Hondius involved the Andes strain, which has caused human-to-human transmission in past South American outbreaks.
Person To Person Spread Requires Prolonged Contact
- The Andes strain can spread between people but usually requires prolonged, close contact and exposure to bodily fluids.
- Transmission differs from airborne viruses like measles or COVID, explaining lower general public risk.
Hantavirus Can Be Highly Fatal In Severe Cases
- Hantavirus can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome with about a 35% fatality rate in severe cases.
- Another form causes renal syndrome with 1–15% fatality, highlighting serious but variable outcomes.