What is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)?
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a serious, often fatal, respiratory illness caused by hantaviruses — a family of viruses transmitted to humans through contact with infected wild rodents. Between 1993 and 2023, only 890 HPS cases have been reported in the United States by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the United States most cases occur in the Western and Southwestern states.
Multiple genetic strains of hantavirus are capable of causing HPS, and the virus can be carried by several different rodent species. Notably, the Andes virus is the only known hantavirus strain capable of person-to-person transmission. Person-to-person spread of the Andes virus is typically limited to those in close contact with an infected individual. For more information, visit
About Andes Virus
.
Which rodents carry hantaviruses?
In the United States, rodents that may carry hantaviruses include:
- Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)
- Cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus)
- Rice rats (Oryzomys palustris)
- White-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus)
Other rodents that may carry strains of hantavirus include squirrels, chipmunks, and various other species of rats and mice.
There is currently
no evidence that hantaviruses are spread by common house mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, farm animals, insects, reptiles, birds, dogs or cats.
How do humans get infected with hantaviruses?
Infected rodents shed hantaviruses through their urine, feces (droppings), and saliva. Humans can become infected by:
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Inhaling dried, airborne particles (such as dirt and dust) contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. This is the most common way humans get infected with hantaviruses.
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Touching your mouth or nose after handling contaminated materials.
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A bite or scratch from a rodent infected with hantaviruses. This is a rare but possible route of infection.
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Eating or drinking food or water contaminated with infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva*
*Suspected but not confirmed
What are the symptoms of HPS?
Early symptoms of HPS typically include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Muscle aches, particularly in large muscle groups such as the thighs, hips, back and sometimes shoulders
- Headaches and dizziness
- Chills
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain
Late symptoms of HPS appear 4 to 10 days after the initial phase of illness. Late symptoms are more severe and may include coughing, shortness of breath and fluid accumulation in the lungs.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop these symptoms and may have been exposed to rodents or their droppings.
How can I reduce my risk of HPS?
Minimize contact with rodents and their droppings. Rodents that transmit viruses that cause HPS typically live near people in rural and semi-rural areas. They may live in woodpiles or infrequently used buildings, such as barns, outbuildings, and seasonal cottages or cabins that have been closed for an extended period. Reduce your risk of HPS by safely cleaning up rodent infestations, reducing your exposure to rodents and securing food and water in rodent-proof containers.
Those involved in cleaning rodent-infested buildings or handling dead rodents are at great risk of being exposed to HPS and should follow proper procedures. For more information, review
Technical Guide 41 Rodent-Borne Diseases, with Special Emphasis on Protection from Hantavirus [PDF, 70 pages].
Safely clean up after rodents
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Protect yourself from the viruses that cause HPS and use PPE, such as:
- A respirator fitted with a HEPA filter
- Rubber or plastic gloves
- Protective goggles
- Protective clothing
If you are dealing with a heavy infestation, contact your local, state, federal, or military public health agency for additional guidance.
Disinfect infested areas. Hantaviruses can be killed by most household disinfectants. Look for the word "disinfectant" on the product label. You can make your own solution by mixing 1½ cups of household bleach per 1 gallon of water or 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.
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Spray disinfectant on all areas where rodents have been trapped or
- where signs of activity — such as droppings, urine staining, or nesting materials — have been found. Soak all contaminated materials in disinfectant and place them in sealed plastic bags for disposal.
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Do not sweep or vacuum floors, as this can stir up virus-contaminated dust. Instead, spray the area with disinfectant and mop once or twice with a disinfectant solution.
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Launder all potentially contaminated bedding and clothing in hot water with detergent. Machine dry on a high heat setting or hang items to air-dry in direct sunlight.
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Disinfect countertops, cabinets, drawers, and other hard surfaces by first washing with a solution of detergent and water, then wiping down with a general-purpose household disinfectant. Clean all cleanup equipment using the same method.
Prevent HPS indoors
Inspect and prepare structures. Before occupying cabins or long-unused structures, open all doors and windows and allow the space to air out for 30 minutes prior to entering a building. Look for signs of rodent activity, such as droppings or nesting materials, and avoid disturbing dust during your inspection. If evidence of rodent infestation is found, the structure should not be used until it has been properly cleaned and disinfected.
Prevent rodent activity around your home. Discourage rodents from nesting near your home by keeping yards clear of trash, junk piles, building materials, and debris. These items provide food, shelter, and protection for rodents. Seal all entry points ¼ inch or wider using steel wool, cement, or wire screening to prevent rodents from entering buildings.
Secure garbage and pet food. Keep tight-fitting lids on all garbage cans and discard uneaten pet food at the end
of each day.
Set rodent traps. Set spring-loaded traps or glue boards baited with peanut butter near baseboards. Apply an EPA-approved flea and tick control pesticide in the trap area. Fleas and ticks will abandon dead rodents and seek new hosts, including pets and humans. Soak all traps in disinfectant before handling.
Reduce your pet’s exposure to rodents. Cats and dogs have not been shown to directly transmit hantaviruses to humans. However, free-roaming pets may encounter, kill, and bring home an infected rodent, indirectly raising the risk of exposure for pet owners.
Preventing HPS outdoors
The risk of getting infected with HPS is generally lower outdoors. Encounters with infected rodent urine and droppings are less common and direct sunlight is known to destroy hantavirus. However, outdoor precautions should be followed to minimize risk of infection.
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Check potential campsites for rodent activity. Before setting up camp, carefully inspect the area for signs of rodent activity, such as droppings or burrows, and avoid sleeping near locations where rodents are likely to frequent. Whenever possible, sleep on a mat or elevated cot rather than directly on bare ground.
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Do not disturb rodents, burrows or dens. This increases the risk of exposure to hantaviruses and other rodent-borne illnesses.
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Store all food in rodent-proof containers and promptly dispose of garbage in designated waste receptacles. Never use untreated water for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, bathing, or brushing teeth. Instead, use tap water, bottled water, or water that has been properly disinfected through filtration, boiling, or chlorination.
Additional Resources
