Hantavirus is a very rare but serious illness spread by certain types of mice and other rodents. Since it was first identified in the United States in 1993, fewer than 900 cases have been reported nationwide. But understanding how the virus spreads, and how to prevent exposure, can help keep your family safe.
What is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)?
The most serious form of hantavirus infection is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a condition that affects the lungs and can become life‑threatening.
Not all hantavirus infections affect the lungs at first. Some people develop early, flu‑like symptoms, such as fever, chills, headache and fatigue, without breathing problems. Because these symptoms are common with many illnesses, milder cases may not be diagnosed.
If HPS develops, it can be within a day or two after those early symptoms start.
How do people get hantavirus?
Hantavirus is caused by a group of viruses carried by specific types of wild rodents. In the United States, it's most commonly spread by deer mice.
People can become infected by:
Breathing in air contaminated with mouse urine, droppings or saliva
Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose or mouth
Handling rodent nests or cleaning enclosed spaces with rodent waste
- In rare cases, hantavirus infection can happen through a mouse bite.
The majority of cases of HPS occur during the spring and summer, mostly in rural areas. Over 90% of the cases have occurred west of the Mississippi River. The average age of hantavirus infection is 35 years old, but cases have been diagnosed in children as young as 5 years old and in adults in their 80s.
When do symptoms start?
The "incubation period," the time between contact with an infected mouse and the beginning of symptoms, may be 1 to 6 weeks for hantavirus. This can vary, though.
Can hantavirus spread from person to person?
In almost all cases, hantavirus does not spread from person to person. One rare type of hantavirus, the Andes virus found mainly in Chile and Argentina, has been linked to limited person‑to‑person transmission. When this has happened, it has involved close, prolonged contact, such as living with or caring for someone seriously ill with Andes virus. This type of spread is very uncommon, has not been seen with other hantaviruses.Symptoms of hantavirus
Early symptoms (first 3-7 days)
Early symptoms of hantavirus can look like a bad cold, the flu or a gastrointestinal illness. These may include:
Later symptoms & acute respiratory distress syndrome
After the first few days, breathing problems can start suddenly and worsen quickly. People with hantavirus infection may develop a condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
With ARDS, the lungs may fill with fluid and lose their ability to move oxygen into the blood. Symptoms at this point include cough and shortness of breath. Very quickly every organ of the body can be affected.
When to seek medical care
Contact the doctor right away or go to the emergency department if your child:
How is hantavirus diagnosed
Hantavirus is diagnosed with blood tests performed at specialized laboratories.
Treatment for hantavirus
There is no specific therapy available to directly treat HPS. Treatment focuses on supportive care, which includes providing:
Fluids
Oxygen
Careful monitoring
Children with HPS need to be hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU). They may requre oxygen therapy and get help breathing with a ventilator for about 2 to 4 days.
Outlook and recovery
HPS is serious. Overall, about 35% of people die from HPS. However, early identification and supportive care in the hospital can greatly improve chances of survival and recovery from this dangerous syndrome.
How to prevent hantavirus
The best protection against hantavirus is to prevent contact with rodents and their waste where your child spends time.
At home and play areas
Seal holes and cracks where mice can enter.
Keep food sealed and garbage covered with tight‑fitting lids.
Remove brush and tall grass near your home’s foundation to prevent rodents from nesting.
Use spring‑loaded traps and other measures to control rodents.
When cleaning areas rodent areas or entering a space where rodents may have lived:
Avoid stirring up or breathing potentially contaminated dust. Do not sweep or vacuum dry rodent droppings, as this can spread virus particles into the air.
Ventilate enclosed spaces before cleaning.
Wear rubber gloves when touching dead rodents. Disinfect or dispose of the gloves after you use them.
Use disinfectant or a bleach solution.
Consider wearing a mask when cleaning areas contaminated with rodent droppings.
Remember
Hantavirus is rare, but it can be severe. Reducing rodent exposure and knowing when to seek care are the most important ways to protect your family.
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