BC Mosquitoes Carry Hantavirus, New Health Risk in Sea-to-Sky

Hantavirus found in BC mosquitoes for the first time. This is a new concern for the Sea-to-Sky area, as the virus usually spreads from rodents.
By Newsroom | Health, British Columbia |

VANCOUVER, BC - Invasive mosquitoes collected in British Columbia's Sea-to-Sky corridor have tested positive for a hantavirus strain. The discovery, made by provincial health officials, signals a new vector for potential transmission in the region. Details regarding the specific hantavirus strain and the mosquito species involved remain under examination.

The virus, known to cause severe respiratory illness, is typically transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents. Its presence in mosquitoes, however, introduces a complex ecological dynamic.

Hantavirus: A Brief Overview

Hantaviruses, a group of viruses primarily carried by rodents, can lead to serious diseases in humans. One such illness is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).

  • Symptoms often begin with fatigue, fever, and muscle aches.

  • These can be followed by headaches, dizziness, chills, and abdominal issues.

  • The virus is generally transmitted via inhalation of airborne particles from the dried saliva, urine, or feces of infected rodents.

  • Globally, a significant portion of hantavirus cases have historically been reported in China.

  • HPS, while rare, carries a mortality rate of approximately 40%, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The recent detection in B.C. prompts a review of established transmission pathways and the potential for expanded environmental circulation. Health authorities are reportedly continuing surveillance efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are officials concerned about mosquitoes in BC's Sea-to-Sky corridor?
Provincial health officials found that invasive mosquitoes in the Sea-to-Sky area have tested positive for a hantavirus strain. This is a new discovery and raises questions about how the virus could spread.
Q: How does hantavirus usually spread to people?
Hantavirus is typically spread to people through contact with infected rodents, like mice. People usually get sick by breathing in air that has particles from dried rodent urine, saliva, or droppings.
Q: What are the risks of hantavirus?
Hantavirus can cause a serious lung illness called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Symptoms include fever, tiredness, and muscle aches, which can become severe. The CDC says about 40% of people with HPS die from it.
Q: What are health authorities doing about the mosquitoes in BC?
Health officials are looking into the specific type of hantavirus and which mosquito species are carrying it. They are continuing to monitor the situation in the region.