Hantavirus
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried mainly by rodents. Different types can cause serious disease affecting the lungs or kidneys. Lung disease occurs mainly in the Americas, while kidney disease is more often reported in Europe and Asia, although some viruses occur worldwide. Early symptoms may resemble other infections before the illness becomes severe.
Prevention: Behavior
Symptoms
- Fever, tiredness, and muscle aches
- Headache, nausea, or abdominal pain
- Cough and shortness of breath with lung disease
- Back pain and kidney problems with some types
Transmission
- Breathing air contaminated when infected rodent urine, droppings, or nesting material is disturbed
- Rodent fluids reaching damaged skin, eyes, nose, or mouth
- Andes virus can also spread through close contact between people
Prevention
Keep rodents out of living spaces and food stores, and avoid contact with their waste. Use official safe-cleaning guidance when dealing with an infestation rather than stirring up contaminated material.
Diagnosis and care
Seek medical care promptly if ill after rodent exposure, and mention that exposure. Serious illness may need hospital treatment, breathing support, or kidney support.
Source
- CDC: About Hantavirus
Based on CDC information
Source language: English
Source reviewed: May 13, 2024
Source accessed: May 7, 2026
- CDC: Hantavirus Prevention
Based on CDC information
Source language: English
Source accessed: October 7, 2026
More disease information
-
Adenovirus infection
Adenoviruses are a group of common viruses that can affect the airways, eyes or gut. They infect people of all ages throughout the year. Most infections are mild, but pneumonia and other…
-
Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is an infection caused by parasites spread by sand flies. Different forms affect the skin, the lining of the nose and mouth, or internal organs. Skin disease may leave…
-
Norovirus
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes sudden inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is sometimes called stomach flu, but it is unrelated to influenza. Most people…