Issued: Friday, May 8, 2026 | 12:30 p.m. | Windsor and Essex County
The following statement can be attributed to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU):
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is aware of recent reports of Hantavirus cases internationally. The current risk to Windsor-Essex County residents remains very low and no locally acquired cases have been reported to date in the province. The WECHU is in regular contact with federal and provincial partners to monitor the situation closely with the goal of keeping residents of Windsor and Essex County informed and safe.
What is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a rare virus which can cause serious illness. Typically, virus transmission occurs from breathing in air that has been contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents (e.g., rats and mice). Unlike other viruses, such as influenza or COVID-19, Hantavirus does not spread easily from one person to another.
The WECHU will provide further information and post updates to its website and social media feeds as new information becomes available or the risk to local residents changes.