Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious virus spread primarily through close contact with infected rodents, especially deer mice, and their droppings, urine or saliva. The important thing for parents to know is that while headlines can sound alarming, hantavirus infections remain very uncommon in Canada. Most families are at very low risk in their everyday lives.
The overall risk in Canada to the general population from the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship remains low. Because transmission requires close, prolonged contact, person-to-person spread in Canada isn't expected, even if an infected individual were to arrive in the country.