What is hantavirus and how does it spread?

Added: 2026-05-13

[00:00:00]Dr. Isaac Bogosh is an infectious disease specialist and joins us now to discuss this evolving situation. Thank you so much for being with us.

[00:00:08]>> My pleasure.

[00:00:09]>> I think a lot of people have questions about how contagious haunt virus is and how it spreads between rodents, but officials now have identified a strain that can go from person to person. What does that mean?

[00:00:21]>> Well, yeah, there's several different types of antiviruses around the world.

[00:00:24]We we have some in Canada as well. get about five or so cases per year, mostly in the western provinces and the vast majority of cases are from an environmental exposure. It you people are sweeping out a barn or a shed or the attic and uh you know they're sweeping and they might aerosolize uh some feces from rodents or urine from rodents. They inhale it and that's how you can get this infection. The type of antivirus in South America, the particular strain there has been known to cause human to human transmission. And in fact, there was a pretty well-known outbreak in Argentina from 2018 where about 30 people were ultimately infected with this strain. Many people gathering at a at a party and some uh close contacts that lived in the same house as an infected individual uh acquired the infection. So this is this is known to occur with this particular type of virus. So while it's unique that you know there's an outbreak on a ship uh uh you know this this virus has been known for about 30 years and and this particular uh strain of the virus is known to cause human to human transmission. Although I'd say it's not the most likely or a common type of mechanism of transmission, but it still is possible and and that's what we're likely seeing. Now >> when it comes to the impacts on the on the body, what sort of symptoms are um are we seeing as a result of this virus and who is most at risk?

[00:01:45]>> Yeah, this is a very serious virus.

[00:01:47]Luckily, it's rare, but it can be very serious. It can cause a a very significant cardopulmonary syndrome and uh people who are ill with this virus uh unfortunately will get rather sick rather quickly if they develop the uh respiratory symptoms. uh they'll have a significant shortness of breath and many of these individuals will be cared for in a hospital environment where they'll receive supplemental oxygen. Many will need care in an intensive care unit setting and it's got a pretty high mortality rate north of uh 20 25%. So it can cause a very serious illness. That's that's obviously the concern for people who have potentially exposed to it. Um but of course people do live if they get appropriate medical care quickly.

[00:02:29]There's no dedicated antiviral for this drug. It's supportive care in a hospital setting. And the key here is to prevent further people from getting this infection and ensuring that those who are uh who have this infection receive timely and appropriate medical care.

[00:02:42]>> And those passengers currently on that boat, they're confined to their cabins right now. Um how do you contain something like haunt virus? And is it safe for people on the boat uh to stay there or should they be evacuated? Oh, they'll likely get off the boat sooner rather than later, but you know, you don't want people mingling about when we have a virus that's transmitted through the air uh on on this boat, especially one that's so uh that has, you know, it's potentially lethal. So, the smart thing is obviously to separate people and have them stay in their cabins for now. We've heard the WHO providing support uh on the boat. We've heard about people getting evacuated for appropriate medical care. And we've heard about using the appropriate personal protective equipment, which of course includes masks, but also contact precautions as well to decontaminate cabins. So, you know, number one, ensure everyone's getting the right medical care. Number two, take steps to prevent further transmission on the boat. And also remember that when people are leaving the boat that if they're infected, they can still transmit to other people. So, using the appropriate masks and personal protective equipment.

[00:03:48]And then number three is coordination.

[00:03:50]This is an international environment.

[00:03:52]You've got people from various countries on board. You've got various countries involved in the outbreak response. So, the WHO is doing a pretty good job coordinating all the moving parts here.

[00:04:03]>> Uh how concerned are you about this virus coming to Canada? And on the point of leaving the boat here, uh what factors need to be considered for whichever nation uh allows this boat to dock?

[00:04:15]>> You certainly need to have appropriate education for everyone on board. If they were exposed, they have to know about the longer incubation period for this.

[00:04:23]It can be one to four weeks in duration.

[00:04:25]Uh and people should be aware that if they do have symptoms, they need to seek urgent medical care. A for their personal, you know, well-being, but also b to ensure that there's contact tracing to make sure that no one else is exposed to this virus. Now we know that this virus can be transmitted from person to person and of course from environmental sources to but we also know that it's not uh as transmissible as for example something like covid. I mean this virus has been around since 1996. There's been small outbreaks of it here and there but uh we you know we have yet to see a major or massive outbreak of of this particular virus and it's for a reason.

[00:05:03]I mean it it can be contained with the appropriate uh public health response which is exactly what we're seeing.

[00:05:08]Okay, we're going to keep uh watching what the latest is here. I'm sure you will, too. Dr. Isaac Bogosh, thank you so much for your time.

[00:05:15]>> Thank you.