Prevent Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Prevent Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

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What is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (also known as HPS)?

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a serious, often deadly, respiratory disease 
that has been found mostly in rural areas of the western United States.

The disease is caused by a hantavirus that is carried by rodents and passed 
on to humans through infected rodent urine, saliva, or droppings.

Should tourists, campers, and hikers worry about hantavirus infection?
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare disease, and most tourists are not at 
increased risk for hantavirus infection. However, visitors to rural areas and 
nature resortscampers, hikers, and others who take part in activities 
outdoorscan become exposed to rodent urine, saliva, or droppings and become 
infected with hantavirus.


If your activities take you to areas where you may become exposed to rodents 
and their urine, saliva, or droppings, take the precautions listed in this 
pamphlet to prevent being exposed to hantavirus.


What kinds of rodents carry hantavirus?

The deer mouse, is the primary carrier of the virus that causes 
hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. This type of rodent is found throughout the 
United States, except in the Southeast and East Coast. In the Southeast, the 
cotton rat is known to carry hantavirus.

How do I identify rodents, burrows, and droppings?
A deer mouse is 4-9 inches long from head to tip of tail. It is pale gray to 
reddish brown and has white fur on its belly, feet, and underside of the 
tail. It has oversized ears.

A mouse nest (burrow) is usually a pile of material under which the mouse 
lives. This pile can contain many different materials, such as twigs, 
insulation, styrofoam, and grass.

How is the virus spread?
Hantavirus is spread from wild rodents to people. The virus, which is found 
in rodent urine, saliva, and feces, gets in the air as mist from urine and 
saliva or dust from feces. Breathing in the virus is the most common way of 
becoming infected; however, you can also become infected by touching the 
mouth or nose after handling contaminated materials. A rodent's bite can also 
spread the virus.


Hantavirus is spread from wild rodents to people.  Breathing in the virus is 
the most common way of becoming infected.

Hantavirus is not spread from person to person. You cannot become infected by 
being near a person who has hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The virus, which 
is able to survive in the environment (for example, in contaminated dirt and 
dust), can be killed by most household disinfectants, such as bleach or 
alcohol.

What are the symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, and how long after 
infection do they appear?
Symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome usually appear within 2 weeks of 
infection but can appear as early as 3 days to as late as 6 weeks after 
infection. 


The primary symptom of this disease is difficulty in breathing, which is 
caused by fluid build-up in the lungs and quickly progresses to an inability 
to breathe.

First symptoms are general and flu-like: fever (101-104 F); headache; 
abdominal, joint, and lower back pain; sometimes nausea and vomiting. 
However, the primary symptom of this disease is difficulty in breathing, 
which is caused by fluid build-up in the lungs and quickly progresses to an 
inability to breathe.

What should I do if I think I have hantavirus infection?
If any combination of the symptoms described aboveespecially difficulty in 
breathingappear after direct or indirect exposure to rodents, contact your 
doctor or public health clinic immediately and be sure to mention your 
exposure to rodents.

Is there a cure for or vaccine against hantavirus infection?
No cure or vaccine is yet available against hantavirus infection. The sooner 
after infection medical treatment is sought, the better the chance of 
recovery.

Is it safe to travel to areas where hantavirus infection has been reported?
Yes. Travel to and within all areas where hantavirus infection has been 
reported is safe. Nevertheless, if you camp or hike in an area inhabited by 
rodents, you have a small risk of being exposed to infected rodents and 
becoming infected with hantavirus.

To minimize the risk for hantavirus infection, follow these precautions:

Before occupying abandoned or unused cabins, open them up to air out. Inspect 
for rodents and do not use cabins if you find signs of rodent infestation.
If you sleep outdoors, check potential campsites for rodent droppings and 
burrows
Do not disturb rodents, burrows, or dens
Avoid sleeping near woodpiles or garbage areas that may be frequented by 
rodents
Avoid sleeping on bare ground; use a mat or elevated cots if they are 
available
Store foods in rodent-proof containers and promptly discard, bury, or burn 
all garbage 


For more information, contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
1-800-532-9929.