Hantavirus

This fact sheet answers frequently asked questions about Hantavirus.

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Hantavirus refers to a group of viruses carried by rodents, including mice. Certain types of hantaviruses can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Though rare, HPS is deadly.

Human hantavirus infection is most often acquired through direct contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents or by touching contaminated surfaces. The Andes virus is a specific species of hantavirus can be transmitted from person to person through prolonged close contact, such as between household members or to healthcare providers who are caring for a person with Andes virus infection.

Hantavirus is extremely rare in the Boston area.

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The basics

How is it spread?

Only some types of mice and rats can carry the hantaviruses that cause HPS. In North America, these include the deer mouse, the white-footed mouse, the rice rat, and the cotton rat. Rodents and other pets from pet stores are not known to carry hantavirus.

Since it is difficult to tell if a mouse or rat is carrying the disease, it is best to stay away from all wild mice and rats.

Mice and rats spread the virus in their urine and feces. Infection happens when a person touches mouse or rat urine, droppings, or nesting materials that contain the virus and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. The virus may also spread when dried materials contaminated by rodent feces get into broken skin or the eyes, nose, or mouth. Rarely, people can also get HPS from a mouse or rat bite.

The Andes virus is a specific species of hantavirus can be transmitted from person to person through prolonged close contact, such as between household members or to healthcare providers who are caring for a person with Andes virus infection.

Who is at risk?

Anyone who comes into contact with rodent urine or feces containing hantavirus is at risk of developing HPS, including people who are otherwise very healthy. Some activities will increase the risk of exposure, such as:

Cleaning out garages, storage facilities, or barns that were vacant during the winter
Cleaning a home that may have housed mice or rats
Working in construction, utility, or pest control jobs
Hiking and camping in areas where mice or rats may live

Individuals who have had close contact with a person with Andes virus may also be at risk, such as:

Individuals who are sexual partners of a person with Andes virus infection
Household or family members of an individual with Andes virus infection
Healthcare workers who have provided care for a person with Andes virus infection

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)?

Symptoms of HPS develop 1 to 8 weeks after exposure to a mouse or rat that carried a hantavirus or exposure to a person with Andes virus infection. HPS is characterized by flu-like symptoms (headache, chills, fever, muscle aches), and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain), followed by the sudden onset of breathing problems and low blood pressure.

What should I do if I think I have HPS?

If you think you may have been exposed to a hantavirus and are experiencing flu-like symptoms in addition to shortness of breath, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Early diagnosis of HPS can be difficult because early symptoms are easily confused with seasonal influenza. Your doctor will ask you about your history of possible contact with hantavirus.

Prevention

How can I prevent HPS?

The best way to prevent HPS is to avoid contact with mice and rats. This includes removing them from your home and sealing all openings greater than ¼ inch to prevent them from entering. You should remove trash, food sources, and dense shrubbery that are within 100 feet of your home so that mice and rats will not create nests near your home. Store all food and garbage in tightly sealed containers.

How should you clean rodent urine or dropping in a house?

Clean all mouse and rat urine, droppings, and nesting materials with a strong disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water. Let the area soak for 5 minutes before drying.

Be sure not to sweep or vacuum the urine, droppings, or nests. This will stir the virus particles making them airborne, where you can potentially breath them in. Always wear a mask and protective gloves when cleaning materials that may contain mouse or rat urine, droppings, or nesting materials.

How should I dispose of a dead rodent?

Always wear rubber or plastic gloves when handling a dead animal. Spray the dead rodent and surrounding area with a strong disinfectant or mixture of bleach and water. You should allow the animal to soak for 5 minutes before placing it in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Next, place the full bag into another sealed bag and throw it into a trashcan that is regularly emptied. Remember to wash your hands and dispose of the gloves without touching other surfaces.

Treatment

How is it treated?

To date, there is no specific treatment, cure, or vaccine for HPS. If detected early, supportive treatment can help people recover. The treatment will be less effective once someone is experiencing more severe symptoms.