What type of rodents carry hantavirus?

Only some kinds of mice and rats can give people hantaviruses that can cause HPS. In North America, they are the deer mouse, the white-footed mouse, the rice rat, and the cotton rat. However, not every deer mouse, white-footed mouse, rice rat, or cotton rat carries a hantavirus.

Is hantavirus caused by eating rodents?

Scientists believe that people may be able to get the virus if they touch something that has been contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, and then touch their nose or mouth. Scientists also suspect people can become sick if they eat food contaminated by urine, droppings, or saliva from an infected rodent.

What type of organism causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is an infectious disease caused by hantaviruses (Sin Nombre hantavirus in most of the US). Transmission occurs when direct or indirect (airborne) contact is made with the saliva or waste products of rodents that carry the virus, most commonly the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus).

What animals can get hantavirus?

It is in a class of diseases called zoonoses, meaning it is a virus transmitted from animals to human. In this case, the animal in question is rodents (usually rats). Hantaviruses can cause severe disease, including bleeding and kidney failure.

Are there any rodents that can give you hantavirus?

In North America, they are the deer mouse, the white-footed mouse, the rice rat, and the cotton rat. However, not every deer mouse, white-footed mouse, rice rat, or cotton rat carries a hantavirus. Other rodents, such as house mice, roof rats, and Norway rats, have never been known to give people HPS.

Can a deer mouse cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

Several types of hantaviruses can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. They are carried by several types of rodents, particularly the deer mouse. You become infected primarily by breathing air infected with hantaviruses that are shed in rodent urine and droppings. Because treatment options are limited,…

Who is at risk for Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a severe, sometimes fatal, respiratory disease in humans caused by infection with hantaviruses. Anyone who comes into contact with rodents that carry hantaviruses is at risk of HPS. Rodent infestation in and around the home remains the primary risk for hantavirus exposure.

What kind of disease is caused by Hantavirus?

Hantavirus Fact Sheet 1. What is Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)? – Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a severe, often fatal respiratory disease caused by Hantaviruses. Rodents harbor the virus, which is shed in their urine, droppings, or saliva.

Several types of hantaviruses can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. They are carried by several types of rodents, particularly the deer mouse. You become infected primarily by breathing air infected with hantaviruses that are shed in rodent urine and droppings. Because treatment options are limited,…

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a severe, sometimes fatal, respiratory disease in humans caused by infection with hantaviruses. Anyone who comes into contact with rodents that carry hantaviruses is at risk of HPS. Rodent infestation in and around the home remains the primary risk for hantavirus exposure.

In North America, they are the deer mouse, the white-footed mouse, the rice rat, and the cotton rat. However, not every deer mouse, white-footed mouse, rice rat, or cotton rat carries a hantavirus. Other rodents, such as house mice, roof rats, and Norway rats, have never been known to give people HPS.

How to get rid of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome ( HPS )?

Dispose of droppings (feces) by burial in double plastic bags. If droppings have been treated properly with a sanitizer, they can be double bagged and disposed in the regular trash bin. Do not touch dead rodents. Wet dead rodents and rodent nests with disinfectant, allowing at least 30 minutes for disinfectant to work before removing.