Public Health Reference
Hantavirus — what you need to know
Hantaviruses are a family of rodent-borne viruses. In the Americas they cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) — first identified in the 1993 Four Corners outbreak — with a U.S. case fatality rate of about 35%. In Europe and Asia they cause Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS).
Sources: CDC, WHO. cdc.gov/hantavirus
Symptoms
- Fever, chills
- Severe muscle aches (thighs, hips, back)
- Fatigue, headache, dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (about half)
- After 4–10 days: cough and severe shortness of breath
How it spreads
- Inhaling aerosolized virus from rodent droppings, urine, or saliva
- Contact with contaminated surfaces then touching face
- Rodent bites (rare)
- Andes virus: rare person-to-person transmission documented
Incubation & course
- 1 to 8 weeks after exposure (most often 2–4)
- Early phase: flu-like, 3–6 days
- Late phase: pulmonary edema, hypoxia, shock
- No specific antiviral — supportive care in ICU is critical
Known rodent reservoirs in the Americas
Each Hantavirus is associated with a specific rodent host. Source: CDC
| Rodent | Scientific name | Virus | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer mouse | Peromyscus maniculatus | Sin Nombre virus | Western & Central U.S., Canada |
| White-footed mouse | Peromyscus leucopus | New York virus | Eastern U.S. |
| Cotton rat | Sigmodon hispidus | Black Creek Canal virus | Southeastern U.S. |
| Rice rat | Oryzomys palustris | Bayou virus | Southeastern U.S. |
| Long-tailed pygmy rice rat | Oligoryzomys longicaudatus | Andes virus | Argentina, Chile |
Do (CDC guidance)
- Air out enclosed buildings for 30 minutes before cleaning
- Wear rubber/latex gloves; an N95 respirator is recommended
- Wet droppings and nests with bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) and let sit 5 minutes
- Use paper towels to pick up — double-bag and discard
- Seal openings >1/4 inch (6 mm) to keep rodents out
- Set traps; remove food sources and clutter
Don't
- Sweep or vacuum dry droppings — this aerosolizes the virus
- Handle dead rodents with bare hands
- Ignore flu-like symptoms 1–8 weeks after rodent exposure
- Stir up dust in cabins, sheds or barns that have been closed
- Store firewood, trash, or feed against building walls
Suspect Hantavirus exposure?
Seek medical care immediately — early ICU support saves lives.