What is hantavirus?
Hantavirus is the name of a group of viruses that spread through the urine, droppings (poop), and saliva of wild rodents. There are many different kinds of hantaviruses. In the western U.S. and California, the hantavirus that can make people sick is called Sin Nombre virus. Sin Nombre virus is spread by deer mice, which are found throughout California.
Andes virus is another kind of hantavirus that can make people sick. But Andes virus is not found in California. Deer mice in California do not spread Andes virus, and the rodents that can carry it are not found in the U.S. Learn more about the difference between Sin Nombre and Andes hantaviruses:
| How does the virus spread? | From rodent to person | From rodent to person and person to person |
| Which rodent carries the virus? | Deer mouse | Long-tailed pygmy rat |
| Where is the virus found? | Western North America (including California) | South America (Argentina and Chilie) |
| What are the symptoms? | Early symptoms resemble the flu and progress to difficulty breathing | Early symptoms resemble the flu and progress to difficulty breathing |
What is the treatment?
| No specific treatment, but early medical care can help | No specific treatment, but early medical care can help
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Hantavirus infection can cause serious disease in humans. In California, there are about 3 Sin Nombre hantavirus infections reported each year. Hantavirus infection can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which can be deadly. Early symptoms of HPS can look like other respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19 or the flu.
How can a person get infected with hantavirus?
People can get infected with hantavirus when they breathe in air that is contaminated with the virus. Particles containing hantavirus get into the air when dried mouse urine, saliva, or droppings are stirred up. The chances of this happening increase when opening or cleaning buildings in rural areas that have been closed for the winter where deer mice have entered, or for people working, playing, or living in closed spaces where mice are present.
Sin Nombre virus is not known to spread from person to person. Only one type of hantavirus, Andes virus, is known to spread between people who have symptoms and are in close contact.
Symptoms of hantavirus infection can be mild or severe, depending on whether a person's lungs become infected. There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection, but early medical care can help if serious disease develops.
How can I help prevent hantavirus infection in California?
Because hantavirus infection can be serious, even deadly, it is important to know how to prevent it. The best way to prevent hantavirus infection is to keep wild rodents, especially mice, out of your home, workplace, cabin, shed, car, camper, or other closed space:
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Seal up holes (the width of a pencil or larger) and other openings where mice can get in.
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Place snap traps to catch any mice (do not use glue traps or live traps).
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Store all food items in rodent-proof containers to keep mice away.
Learn more:
How to Seal Up to Prevent Rodents
If you find signs of mice or other rodents, it’s important to clean up after them safely to reduce your chances of getting sick:
Before you start cleaning
While cleaning
Wear gloves
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Spray the contaminated area with the disinfectant or bleach solution until very wet, and let it soak for at least 5 minutes.
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Use paper towels, a sponge, or mop to clean up the contaminated area.