Ticks, fleas, and other biting insects have not been found to trasmit HPS from rodents to humans. However, it is possible for domestic dogs and cats to bring infected rodents into contact with humans. Since HPS is not considered a highly infectious disease, people usually contract HPS from long-term exposure. Since transmission usually occurs through inhalation, it is easiest for a human being to contract HPS within a contained environment, where the virus-infected particles are not thoroughly dispersed. The environments that provide the greatest risk are unoccupied buildings, such as an abandoned house, a cabin, or the toolshed in your back yard.
Rodents can thrive in such places, especially in cold weather.
The gathering dust will only increase the infectiousness of the disease. Travelling to a place where the hantavirus is known to occur is not considered a risk factor. Camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities also pose insubstantial risks, especially if steps are taken to reduce rodent contact. Untreated cases of HPS are almost always fatal. However, if you can get yourself treated for HPS before the disease progresses to acute respiratory distress, then your chances of surviving are greatly increased.