Prevent Hantavirus 

Pulmonary Syndrome

A public information guide for 

tourists, campers, and hikers

What are the symptoms of Hantavirus 

Pulmonary Syndrome, and how long after 

infection do they appear?

Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome usually 

appear within 2-4 weeks of infection, but can appear as 

early as 1 week or as late as 6 weeks after infection.

First symptoms are general and flu-like: fever (101° F and 

above); 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 which 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 above 

– especially difficulty in breathing – appear 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 or vaccine against hantavirus 

infection?

There is no specific treatment, cure, or vaccine for 

hantavirus infection. However, if infected individuals are 

recognized early and receive medical care in an intensive 

care unit, they may do better. In intensive care, patients 

are given oxygen therapy or intubated, to help them 

through the period of severe respiratory distress.

Is it safe to travel where hantavirus infection 

has been reported?

Yes. Travel to and within all areas where hantavirus 

infection has been reported is safe. Most activities of 

hikers are not associated with risks.

To minimize the 

risk for hantavirus 

infection, follow 

these precautions:

• Avoid touching live or dead

rodents. Do not disturb

rodents, burrows, or nests.

• 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 such 

as droppings or nests.

• If you sleep outdoors, check potential campsites for

rodent droppings and burrows.

• Disinfect droppings and nesting materials by spraying

with a disinfectant, wearing kitchen gloves. Dispose of

sprayed materials in a plastic bag.

• Avoid sleeping near woodpiles or garbage areas that

may be frequented by rodents.

• Avoid sleeping on bare ground; use a tent with a floor,

mat or elevated cots if they are available.

• Do not leave pet food in feeding dishes.

• Store foods in rodent-proof containers and promptly

discard, bury, or burn all garbage in accordance with

campsite regulations. 

For more information, visit the CDC Hantavirus website at:

www.cdc.gov/hantavirus

CDC-INFO: 800-232-4636

Ac cessible version available at: https://

www.cdc.gov/hant av ir us/reso urces/guide-forto urists-campers-and-hikers.html
How do I identify 

rodents, burrows, 

and droppings?

A mouse nest, or 

burrow, is usually a pile 

of material under which 

the mouse lives. The 

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, can be easily aerosolized in confined spaces 

when disturbed by rodents or human activities like 

sweeping or vacuuming. 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 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 a few hours or 

days (for example, in dirt and dust in the shade or in 

rodent nests), can be killed by most household disinfectants, 

such as bleach, detergents or alcohol. Exposure to the 

sun’s UV rays can also kill the virus.

Hantavirus is spread from wild 

rodents to people. Breathing in 

the virus is the most common 

way of becoming infected.

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. To date, no cases of 

HPS have been reported in the United States in which 

the virus was transmitted from one person to another. 

 

The deer mouse (pictured) is the primary carrier 

of the virus that causes Hantavirus Pulmonary 

Syndrome. This rodent and other related species are 

found throughout the United States. Since the types 

of mice that carry hantavirus are difficult to identify, 

all wild rodents should be considered potentially 

infectious and should be avoided.

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.

Deer mouse nest between interior 

and exterior walls of a building.

CS235281-A

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 resorts 

— campers, hikers, and others who take part in activities 

outdoors — can become exposed to rodent urine, saliva, or 

droppings and become infected with hantavirus. You can 

also become infected by touching your mouth or nose after 

handling contaminated materials. A rodent’s bite can also 

spread the virus.

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.