Hantavirus

What is Hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents which can spread to people and cause serious illness and death. 

There are hundreds of different hantaviruses found around the world and each hantavirus has a specific rodent species carrier.

Infection with these viruses can cause diseases like hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (severe respiratory disease) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (severe kidney disease).

How is Hantavirus Spread?

People are exposed to hantaviruses by breathing in rodent droppings, urine, or nest materials.

In the United States most cases of human hantavirus are associated with Sin Nombre hantavirus, which can be carried by deer mice. The Sin Nombre hantavirus is not spread from person to person.

The Andes virus is the only type of hantavirus known to spread from person to person. Andes virus is primarily found in South America, including Chile and Argentina. 

• When it has occurred, transmission of Andes virus between people has been associated with close and prolonged contact, particularly among household members or intimate partners, and is most likely to occur early after symptoms begin.

The common house mouse is typically the mouse that infests residential homes and buildings. The common house mouse does not carry hantavirus. The deer mouse is more likely to be found in forests, fields and farms, out-buildings, winterized cabins, or other semi-abandoned buildings in rural areas.

Hantavirus in Minnesota

Illnesses caused by hantavirus are very rare in Minnesota. 

• Since 1999, there have been 2 hantavirus cases likely acquired in Minnesota, and one additional Minnesota resident acquired a hantavirus infection in the western U.S. where the virus is more common.

People who travel to places where hantavirus is more common are more at risk of exposure and illness, although cases are still rare overall. 

Rodents in Minnesota are much less likely to carry hantavirus than rodents in the western U.S., but precautions should be taken when cleaning up rodent droppings or nests.

Safely Cleaning Up After Rodents

• CDC: How to Clean Up After Rodents
  Information from the CDC on how to safely clean up after rodents.
• CDC: How To: Clean Up Mouse Urine and Droppings (JPG)
  One page infographic from the CDC on how to safely clean up after rodents.

Current Situation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other international partners are investigating a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship with some U.S. residents aboard.

• For current information on the ongoing investigation on the M/V Hondius cruise: CDC: Statement on the M/V Hondius Cruise Ship
• For additional updates World Health Organization: Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country
   

More about Hantavirus infection

• CDC: Hantavirus
  Information from the CDC on Hantavirus.
• WHO: Hantavirus
  Information from the WHO on Hantavirus.