Safe Work Practices > Hantavirus

Date Modified: May 12, 2026

Hantavirus refers to a family of viruses primarily spread by rodents that can cause serious and potentially fatal respiratory and kidney diseases in humans. While the risk of infection is generally low, it is extremely dangerous because there is no specific cure, and it carries a high mortality rate—approximately 30% to 40% for the most common form in North America

Types of Hantavirus Diseases

The virus typically causes two different clinical syndromes depending on the geographic region and the specific viral strain:

•Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): Common in North and South America, it primarily affects the lungs. It is most often spread by the deer mouse and was first identified in the southwestern United States in 1993.

•Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS): Found mainly in Europe and Asia, this form primarily affects the kidneys.

How It Spreads

Humans usually contract hantavirus through indirect contact with infected rodent waste:

Inhalation: The most common route is breathing in airborne particles of dried rodent urine, droppings, or saliva that have been disturbed (e.g., during sweeping or vacuuming).

•Direct Contact: Touching contaminated surfaces or nesting materials and then touching your nose, mouth, or eyes.

•Bites: In rare cases, a bite or scratch from an infected rodent can transmit the virus.

•Person-to-Person: This is extremely rare and has never been documented in North America, though it has occurred with the Andes virus in South America.

Symptoms and Progression

Symptoms typically appear 1 to 8 weeks after exposure.

1.Early Phase (Prodromal): Mimics the flu with high fever, intense headaches, muscle aches (especially in thighs, back, and shoulders), fatigue, and stomach issues like nausea or vomiting.

2.Late Phase (Cardiopulmonary): Occurs 4 to 10 days later. Patients experience a rapid onset of coughing and severe shortness of breath as the lungs fill with fluid. This can lead to shock and multi-organ failure.

Treatment and Prevention

Because there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, medical care focuses on supportive therapy in a hospital setting, often in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This includes oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and IV fluids.

To prevent infection, health agencies like the CDC and Canada.ca recommend:

•Rodent-Proofing: Seal holes in homes, store food in tight containers, and clear brush from foundations.

•Safe Cleanup: Never sweep or vacuum dry rodent waste. Instead, wet it down with a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) for 5–10 minutes before wiping it up while wearing gloves and a mask.

•Ventilation: Open doors and windows for at least 30 minutes before cleaning an enclosed, infrequently used space like a cabin or shed.

When working in enclosed, potentially affected enclosures, precautions include:

•Keeping work areas and equipment well ventilated. Remove equipment to well ventilated areas if possible.

•Wear respiratory protective equipment (generally using a well fitted dust mask).

•Wear gloves, disposable coveralls, goggles and rubber gloves. Do not remove the mask until all other PPE has been removed in a clean area and properly disposed of.

•Spray all debris and used PPE with disinfectant and double plastic bag and tie.

•Keep areas wetted down if possible.

•Avoid causing dirt or particles to become airborne.

•Log and document exposure time, date and place.