Hantavirus is a virus carried by rodents (mainly mice and rats) that can cause severe illness. In the U.S., people most often get hantavirus by breathing in dust from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva in enclosed spaces. No vaccine or specific cure for Hantavirus exists: prevention focuses on avoiding rodents and cleaning safely.
As of 5/20/2026:
What is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a family of viruses carried by wild rodents, like mice and rats. People can get sick if they breathe in dust or air that has been contaminated with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Hantavirus can cause serious illness, especially a lung disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).
In the United States, the hantaviruses found in local rodents do not spread from person to person.
U.S. hantaviruses can cause two illnesses:
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): Found primarily in North and South America, this severe form primarily affects the lungs. In the United States, the most common carrier is the deer mouse.
- Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS): Found mainly in Europe and Asia, this form affects the kidneys and blood vessels. A variant called Seoul virus, which can cause HFRS, is present worldwide, including the U.S.
One type of hantavirus found in South America, called the Andes virus or ANDV, can spread between people through close contact with someone who is sick. The Andes virus can also cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Andes virus is not a respiratory virus that spreads easily through casual contact or routine travel. This virus is not found in U.S. rodents.
The majority of cases of HPS occur during the spring and summer, mostly in rural areas. Over 90% of the cases in the US have occurred west of the Mississippi River.
The average age of hantavirus infection in the US is 35 years old, but cases have been diagnosed in children as young as 5 years old and in adults in their 80s.
Transmission and Prevention
The incubation period, or the time between contact with an infected mouse and the beginning of symptoms, may be 1 to 6 weeks for hantavirus. This can vary widely from case to case.
How Is Hantavirus Spread?
- The virus lives in rodent urine, feces (poop), and saliva.
- People usually get infected by breathing in dust from places where infected rodents have been, like cabins, sheds, or barns.
- You can also get it by touching a surface with the virus, then touching your nose, mouth, or eyes—and very rarely from a rodent bite.
- U.S. hantaviruses do not spread from person to person. The Andes virus is the only one known to, but only with close, direct contact.
How Can You Prevent Hantavirus?
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Keep rodents out of your home by sealing gaps and storing food and trash properly.
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When cleaning up rodent droppings or nests:
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Wear gloves and a mask
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Spray disinfectant and let it soak in
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Use paper towels to pick up the mess-- don't sweep or vacuum
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Throw everything away in sealed bags
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Wash your hands thoroughly after you are done cleaning
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Signs and Symptoms
Contact the doctor right away or go to the emergency department if your or your child have flu‑like symptoms and develop shortness of breath, rapid breathing or breathing trouble.