Hantavirus & Rodents: Why a Mouse Infestation Is a Real Health Risk

Hantavirus in the news: what happened on the MV Hondius?

Since early May 2026, the world has been following the situation aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius. Departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, the vessel was the scene of a hantavirus outbreak that killed three passengers and hospitalized several others. The ship was held for days off Cape Verde before being redirected to the Canary Islands, where the evacuation of some 150 passengers began on May 10.

The strain identified in the sick is the Andes hantavirus — the only known strain capable of human-to-human transmission. That is what makes this outbreak particularly concerning, even though the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the risk to the general public remains low.

In Canada, ten people were potentially exposed, including one in Quebec. Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Joss Reimer, reminded that hantavirus does not spread as easily as COVID-19 and that prolonged close contact is generally required for human-to-human transmission.

What exactly is hantavirus?

Hantavirus is a group of viruses found in the urine, saliva and droppings of certain infected wild rodents. In Canada, the main carriers are the deer mouse and the white-footed mouse — two species widely found in Quebec and across eastern Canada.

The virus causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a rare but serious illness that starts like the flu (fever, muscle aches, headaches) before progressing to severe breathing difficulties.

Key figures

• 168 confirmed cases in Canada since 1994 (source: Public Health Canada, May 2026)
• High fatality rate: about 30% of HPS cases are fatal
• No vaccine exists against hantavirus
• Incubation period: 1 to 6 weeks after exposure

How is hantavirus contracted?

Transmission occurs mainly in three ways:

1. Inhalation of viral particles present in rodent droppings, urine or saliva, lifted into the air (sweeping, moving boxes in a basement, opening a cabin in spring)
2. Direct contact with surfaces contaminated by rodent waste, then hand-to-mouth or hand-to-eye contact
3. Bite from an infected rodent (rare)

⚠️ The most dangerous mistake

Sweeping or vacuuming mouse droppings without protection is one of the leading causes of infection. This sends viral particles into the air. Public Health Canada recommends never using a broom or vacuum to clean rodent waste. First dampen the area with disinfectant, wear gloves and a HEPA-filtering mask, then collect debris with paper towels.

Rodents in Montreal: a real risk

One might think hantavirus is a distant problem. However, deer mice and white-footed mice — the two main reservoirs of the virus in Canada — are present in Quebec. Rodents are not just a nuisance: they pose a real health risk.

Diseases transmitted by rodents in Quebec

Hantavirus is not the only danger. Mice and rats can also transmit:

• Salmonellosis — through food contamination via droppings
• Leptospirosis — through contact with rodent urine, especially in standing water
• Rat-bite fever — bacterial infection caused by a bite or contact with a dead rodent
• Intestinal parasites — transmitted through droppings

And material damage: gnawed electrical wires (fire risk), damaged insulation, contaminated pantries.

High-risk areas in your home

Rodents seek warmth, food and shelter. In Montreal, the most vulnerable spots are:

• Basements and crawl spaces, especially in older Plateau, Rosemont or Villeray duplexes and triplexes
• Attics and roof voids, where mice nest in insulation
• Garages and sheds
• Cottages closed for winter (be careful when reopening in spring!)
• Spaces around kitchen counters and pantries

Signs you have mice

• Small black droppings (3 to 6 mm) along walls, under the sink, or in cabinets
• Scratching noises in walls or ceiling, especially at night
• Gnaw marks on food packaging
• Persistent musky odor
• Nests made of shredded paper, fabric or insulation

How to protect yourself: prevention

Public Health Canada and the Public Health Agency recommend these measures:

1. Block all entry points — a mouse can fit through a 6 mm hole (the size of a dime). Seal cracks in foundations, around pipes and electrical wires.
2. Eliminate food sources — store food in airtight containers, don't leave pet food out, take garbage out regularly.
3. Cut back vegetation around the house — rodents use hedges and bushes as cover.
4. Never sweep or vacuum rodent droppings — dampen first with disinfectant.
5. Call a professional exterminator at the first sign of infestation — quick intervention limits virus exposure and prevents the colony from breeding.

Why call a certified exterminator?

Trying to solve a rodent infestation yourself involves risks:

• Health risk: handling traps, cleaning droppings or accessing infested areas without proper protection exposes you directly to the virus
• Ineffectiveness: over-the-counter products don't address the source. Without identifying and sealing entry points, rodents come back
• Aggravation: poor intervention can scatter the colony and worsen the infestation

At 514 Extermination, we use a comprehensive approach:

• Smoke test to identify all entry points
• Professional sealing of openings
• Targeted treatment with Health Canada approved products
• Follow-up and written guarantee on all treatments
• Intervention in unmarked vehicle for your discretion

Our technicians are certified and hold the C5 permit from Quebec's Ministry of the Environment, and our business carries professional liability insurance.

Take action now

The MV Hondius hantavirus story reminds us of a reality: rodents are not just a nuisance, they are a risk to your health and your family's. If you suspect mice or rats in your home, don't wait.

📞 Call us: (514) 835-2108
🌐 Free online quote

514 Extermination — Certified exterminator in Montreal, Laval and South Shore. Fast, discreet intervention with written guarantee.

Sources: Public Health Canada — Hantavirus · Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety · World Health Organization — MV Hondius statement, May 2026.