Information About Hantavirus in North America

May 9, 2026, 09:30
CanadaHealth

Introduction

Some people got a virus on a big ship. Now, doctors are talking about this virus in Canada.

Main Body

People get this virus from mice. The virus is in mouse pee and spit. One type of the virus hurts the lungs. It is very dangerous. Another type hurts the kidneys. Many people think they have the flu first. Then they get very sick. In Canada, this virus is very rare. Only a few people get it every year. Doctors say the virus does not spread from person to person. It cannot start a big pandemic. Most people are safe.

Conclusion

Keep your home clean. Do not let mice into your house.

Learning

💡 The 'Small Amount' Trick

In this text, we see two ways to talk about things that are not common. This is very useful for A2 students to describe things in their city or life.

1. Rare →\rightarrow (Not common / Not happening often) Example: "In Canada, this virus is very rare."

2. A few →\rightarrow (A small number of people/things) Example: "Only a few people get it every year."

🛠️ Simple Action Words (Present Tense)

Notice how the text uses the same simple pattern to describe a problem:

  • Get the virus →\rightarrow (Catch the illness)
  • Hurt the lungs →\rightarrow (Cause pain/damage)
  • Spread from person to person →\rightarrow (Move from one to another)

Quick Tip: Use these words to describe a situation simply without using long, difficult sentences.

Vocabulary Learning

virus (n.)
a tiny germ that can make people ill
Example:The virus can spread from person to person.
mice (n.)
small rodents that live in houses
Example:Mice can carry diseases.
pee (n.)
urine, the liquid waste from the body
Example:The mouse's pee can spread the virus.
spit (n.)
saliva that comes out of the mouth
Example:The virus can be in the mouse's spit.
lungs (n.)
organs that help you breathe
Example:The virus hurts the lungs.
dangerous (adj.)
able to cause harm or injury
Example:The virus is very dangerous.
kidneys (n.)
organs that filter blood and make urine
Example:The virus also hurts the kidneys.
flu (n.)
a common illness that makes you feel sick
Example:Many people think they have the flu first.
sick (adj.)
not feeling well or healthy
Example:After the flu, they became very sick.
rare (adj.)
not common or occurring often
Example:This virus is very rare in Canada.
spread (v.)
to go from one person or place to another
Example:The virus does not spread from person to person.
pandemic (n.)
a disease that spreads across many countries
Example:It cannot start a big pandemic.