Keep rodents out
Hantavirus prevention starts with sealing gaps, removing easy food sources, storing food securely, and reducing rodent nesting sites around buildings.
CDC and WHO source-linked guide
Hantavirus Prevention
This hantavirus prevention guide focuses on reducing exposure to rodents, rodent urine, droppings, saliva, nesting material, and contaminated dust in homes, sheds, cabins, vehicles, and work settings.
PREVENTION
Hantavirus prevention steps
CDC describes avoiding exposure to rodents and their urine, feces, saliva, and nesting materials as the best way to prevent infection.
Clean safely
Hantavirus prevention during cleanup means ventilating closed spaces, wetting contaminated areas with disinfectant, and not dry sweeping rodent droppings.
Reduce exposure
Hantavirus prevention also means avoiding direct contact with rodent urine, droppings, saliva, dead rodents, and nesting material.
Hantavirus prevention for cleanup
Hantavirus prevention is especially important when cleaning enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. The risk comes from disturbing contaminated dust and material, so cleanup should follow public-health guidance rather than dry sweeping or vacuuming.
If fever, muscle aches, or breathing symptoms develop after a possible exposure, seek medical care and explain the rodent exposure history.
Hantavirus prevention checklist
- Seal holes and gaps where rodents can enter.
- Remove food and nesting sources that attract rodents.
- Ventilate closed spaces before cleanup.
- Disinfect contaminated surfaces before removal.
- Follow local public-health guidance for heavy infestations.
Hantavirus prevention and outbreak monitoring
Hantavirus prevention guidance is separate from outbreak monitoring. Cruise-linked contacts may also receive monitoring or isolation instructions because Andes virus can rarely spread between people after close and prolonged contact.