Symptoms of a hantavirus infection
Current situation
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) confirmed on May 17 one case of Andes hantavirus in Canada through laboratory testing. This case was reported by the British Columbia Provincial Health Officer on May 16 and was among the passengers on the MV Hondius cruise ship. The individual, as well as other potential contacts in Canada continue to follow public health protocols and be monitored by local public health authorities.
The overall risk to the general population in Canada remains low at this time.
Learn about the symptoms of a hantavirus infection, what to look for and what to do if you become ill.
On this page:
What are the symptoms of a hantavirus infection?
Depending on the type of hantavirus that you are infected with, you may experience different symptoms. The 2 most common diseases caused by a hantavirus infection are:
- hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (found in North and South America)
- haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (found mainly in Europe and Asia)
Symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
Symptoms appear 1 to 6 weeks after being exposed to the virus. They can include:
- tiredness
- dizziness
- fever and chills
- muscle aches and headaches
- nausea and vomiting
- stomach pain
- coughing
More severe symptoms may include:
- shortness of breath
- severe difficulty breathing
Symptoms of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome
Symptoms appear 1 to 2 weeks after exposure. They can include:
- intense headaches
- back and stomach pain
- fever
- chills
- nausea
- blurred vision
Additional symptoms may include:
- flushed face
- inflamed or red eyes
- rash
- low blood pressure
Serious cases may result in internal bleeding.
What do you do if you become ill?
See a health care provider immediately if you:
- have had contact with rodents or their droppings and urine
- are showing some or all of the above symptoms
Be sure to mention that you have had contact with rodents or their droppings or urine. Your health care provider will then look more closely for rodent-associated diseases like:
- hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
- haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome