05/08/2026
Hantavirus has been in the news lately, here's some information about how it's contracted and precautions to prevent contracting it 🐁
Hantavirus is contracted primarily by breathing in airborne virus particles from the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents, particularly deer mice. It is a serious, often fatal disease (HPS) caused by disturbing contaminated materials—such as sweeping dusty, rodent-infested areas—or through direct contact with rodents.
How Hantavirus Spreads
• Inhalation (Most Common): Aerosolization occurs when, for example, dried rodent urine or droppings are stirred up during cleaning of cabins, barns, or sheds, allowing the virus to enter the air.
• Direct Contact: Touching contaminated droppings, urine, or nesting materials and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Rodent Bites: Although rare, bites from an infected rodent can transmit the virus.
• Food Contamination: Eating food that has been contaminated by rodents.
• Person-to-Person: Generally does not occur, except for rare cases of the Andes virus strain in South America.
Common Exposure Risks
• Opening or cleaning buildings (sheds, cabins, barns) that have been closed for the winter.
• Cleaning, sweeping, or vacuuming areas infested with mice.
• Working in rural areas, farming, or forestry.
• Handling nesting materials.
Key Prevention Measures
• Do not sweep or vacuum rodent droppings or nesting materials. Instead, soak them thoroughly with a disinfectant (e.g., a mixture of bleach and water) for at least 5 minutes before cleaning.
• Wear rubber gloves and, if necessary, an N95 mask when cleaning areas with signs of mice.
• Seal gaps and holes in homes and outbuildings to prevent rodent entry.
• Keep food in rodent-proof containers.
Symptoms
Initial symptoms typically start 1 to 8 weeks after exposure and include fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, which can progress to severe respiratory failure. Early medical treatment is critical.
Clinical information about HPS, a severe disease that affects the lungs.
