🐀 Hantavirus
Hantavirus is a family of viruses spread primarily by rodents. In the Americas, the primary disease it causes is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory illness with a case fatality rate of approximately 38%. Unlike most respiratory viruses, hantavirus is not spread from person to person — it is acquired by inhaling dust contaminated with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva.
Key facts
- HPS case fatality rate approximately 38% (CDC)
- No FDA-approved antiviral treatment; care is supportive
- Sin Nombre virus is the primary U.S. strain, carried by deer mice
- Spring cleaning, camping, and agricultural work are common exposure scenarios
Most-asked questions
- What are hantavirus symptoms?
- How is hantavirus transmitted?
- How do I prevent hantavirus exposure?
- What is the treatment for hantavirus?
- Where do hantavirus outbreaks occur?
These questions are answered in depth on HantavirusQuestions.com.
What is hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are a genus of single-stranded RNA viruses in the family Hantaviridae. Each strain is associated with a specific rodent reservoir host. In the Americas, the Sin Nombre virus — carried by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) — causes most cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). In Europe and Asia, Puumala and Hantaan viruses cause Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which primarily affects the kidneys rather than the lungs. (CDC: About Hantavirus)
How hantavirus is transmitted
Humans are infected by breathing in air contaminated with virus particles from infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva — particularly when dust is disturbed during cleaning activities in enclosed spaces such as cabins, sheds, and storage areas. The virus can remain infectious in the environment for several days at room temperature.
Person-to-person transmission does not occur in the United States with Sin Nombre virus. The Andes virus strain (found in South America) is the only known hantavirus with documented person-to-person transmission. (CDC: Hantavirus Transmission)
Who is at risk?
Anyone who comes in contact with infected rodents or their droppings is at risk. High-risk activities include cleaning rodent-infested spaces, camping in areas with rodent populations, agricultural work, and entering buildings that have been closed for extended periods. Most U.S. cases occur in the western states; the Four Corners region (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah) has historically had the highest case concentration. (CDC: Hantavirus Data)
Prevention
There is no FDA-approved vaccine for hantavirus in the United States. Prevention relies entirely on reducing rodent exposure:
- Seal entry points — close gaps larger than ¼ inch in buildings and vehicles.
- Eliminate food sources — store food and pet food in rodent-proof containers.
- Clean safely — when cleaning rodent-infested areas, wear an N95 or better respirator and wet-mop rather than sweeping to avoid aerosolizing dust.
- Ventilate before entry — open windows and doors for 30 minutes before entering a closed building suspected of rodent infestation.
- Traps and rodenticides — reduce local rodent populations around the home and outbuildings.
In-depth answers at HantavirusQuestions.com
Complete pages on symptoms (HPS vs. HFRS), transmission, prevention protocols, treatment, outbreak history, FAQ, and a buying guide for rodent-proofing and cleanup supplies. Updated with current research.
This page provides a summary of hantavirus. For comprehensive information, visit HantavirusQuestions.com. Summarized from CDC and WHO guidance. Last reviewed: .