The hypothesize ORV damage to landscape may be responsible, but do not know if there is an increased risk to humans. The scientists said more research is needed to determine if the high infection rate among deer mice near the federal Bureau of Land Management's Little Sahara Recreation Area was caused by ORV traffic that has created dirt roads and trails. They theorize that when ORVs denude rodent habitat, the animals are crowded into remaining areas of vegetation, leading to increased fighting, biting and scratching that allows the virus to be spread among mice when saliva and blood enter their wounds. Dearing said researchers simply do not know if increased prevalence of hantavirus among mice raises the risk of transmission to humans. Mackelprang said she doubts there is any increased danger to the thousands of people who camp and ride ORVs in the area.
Humans usually get it in enclosed spaces like a garage or basement they are sweeping out.
If you are outdoors, there is no chance of breathing such concentrated dust. Mackelprang said ORVs usually kick up sand from areas denuded of vegetation, rather than creating finer dust or aerosol particles from vegetated areas inhabited by the mice. The study by Mackelprang, Dearing and Stephen St. Jeor, a virologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, has been accepted for publication in the May-June issue of the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, but is expected to appear in the journal's online edition in the next week or so. Those areas are riddled with dirt roads and trails from ORVs, and often provide unimproved campsites for people unable to find space at official campgrounds. The traps were baited with oats, peanut butter and cotton, which rodents like as nesting material.