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What is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a group of viruses that can infect humans and some animals, especially rodents. People usually become infected after breathing in particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva that have been stirred up into the air.
It is not a common infection in the UK, but it is taken seriously because some types of hantavirus can cause severe illness. The risk is generally higher in places where rodents live indoors or where cleaning disturbs contaminated dust.
How it spreads
Hantavirus does not usually spread from person to person. In most cases, infection happens when someone is exposed to virus particles in rodent waste or contaminated material.
This can happen while sweeping out sheds, garages, lofts, or barns, especially if the area has signs of rodent activity. Rodent bites can also spread infection, although this is less common.
Symptoms to watch for
Early symptoms often start like flu and may include fever, tiredness, muscle aches, headache, dizziness, and stomach upset. Some people may also notice nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
With certain hantavirus infections, breathing problems can develop later and become serious quickly. If symptoms worsen or breathing becomes difficult, urgent medical help is needed.
Hantavirus in the UK
Cases of hantavirus are uncommon in the UK, but there have been infections linked to native rodents, particularly the bank vole. The illness seen in the UK is usually a milder form than the severe disease reported in some other parts of the world.
Even so, it is important to take precautions when cleaning areas where rodents may have been active. Public health advice focuses on reducing contact with rodent droppings and urine.
How to reduce your risk
Good hygiene and pest control are the best ways to lower the risk of infection. Seal gaps where rodents can enter, store food securely, and keep kitchens, sheds, and outbuildings clean.
If you need to clean a rodent-infested area, avoid sweeping or vacuuming dry droppings straight away. Instead, ventilate the space, wear gloves, and use disinfectant to dampen contaminated material before cleaning it up.
When to get medical advice
If you think you may have been exposed to rodents and then develop fever, muscle aches, or breathing problems, contact NHS 111 or your GP for advice. Tell them about the possible exposure so they can consider hantavirus.
Seek urgent help if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, or symptoms that are getting worse quickly. Early medical assessment can help reduce the risk of serious complications.
What is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a group of viruses. Viruses are tiny germs. They can make people and some animals ill, especially rats and mice.
People usually catch it by breathing in tiny bits from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. These tiny bits can get into the air.
It is not common in the UK. But doctors take it seriously because some types can make people very ill. The risk is higher in places where rats or mice live indoors. It is also higher when cleaning makes dirty dust go into the air.
How it spreads
Hantavirus usually does not spread from one person to another.
Most people catch it from contact with rodent waste or dirty material that has the virus in it.
This can happen when cleaning sheds, garages, lofts, or barns. It is more likely if there are signs of rats or mice.
Rodent bites can also spread the infection. This is less common.
Symptoms to watch for
Early signs can feel like flu.
These may include:
• fever
• tiredness
• sore muscles
• headache
• dizziness
• upset stomach
• feeling sick
• being sick
• diarrhoea
Some types of hantavirus can later cause breathing problems. This can become serious very quickly.
If breathing gets hard, get urgent medical help.
Hantavirus in the UK
Hantavirus is uncommon in the UK.
There have been some cases linked to wild rodents, especially the bank vole.
Illness in the UK is often milder than in some other countries. Even so, care is still needed.
Take extra care when cleaning places where rats or mice may have been.
Public health advice says to avoid touching rodent droppings and urine.
How to reduce your risk
Good cleaning and pest control can help keep you safe.
You can reduce risk by:
• sealing holes and gaps so rodents cannot get in
• storing food in closed containers
• keeping kitchens, sheds, and outbuildings clean
• getting help to deal with rodent problems
If you need to clean an area where rodents have been, do not sweep or vacuum dry droppings first.
Open windows or doors to let fresh air in.
Wear gloves.
Use disinfectant to wet the droppings or dirty material before you clean it up.
Helpful tools may include rubber gloves, disinfectant, and a face covering if the area is very dusty.
It can also help to work slowly, take breaks, and ask someone else to help if the job feels too hard.
When to get medical advice
If you think you may have been near rodents and then feel unwell, contact NHS 111 or your GP.
Tell them about the possible contact with rodents.
Get help if you have:
• fever
• muscle aches
• breathing problems
• chest pain
• symptoms that get worse quickly
Go for urgent help if breathing becomes difficult or you feel much worse fast.
To help you explain your symptoms, you can write them down before you call.
You can also ask a trusted person to help you make the call or go with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hantavirus is a group of viruses carried mainly by rodents that can cause serious disease in humans.
People usually get infected by breathing in virus particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, especially when these become aerosolized.
Human infection is relatively rare, but it can be severe and requires prompt medical attention.
In the Americas, Hantavirus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which affects the lungs and can be life-threatening.
Early symptoms often include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, dizziness, and sometimes nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.
Hantavirus disease can be very serious and may progress quickly to breathing failure or shock if not treated promptly.
Most Hantavirus infections do not spread from person to person, though a few rare strains have shown limited person-to-person transmission.
Rodents are the main carriers, including deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats, and some other wild rodents.
Hantavirus is found worldwide, with different strains in different regions, including the Americas, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.
Doctors diagnose it using symptoms, exposure history, and laboratory tests such as blood tests or PCR testing.
There is no specific cure, but early supportive medical care can greatly improve outcomes.
Treatment is supportive and may include oxygen, IV fluids, blood pressure support, and intensive care if needed.
Yes, prevention focuses on avoiding contact with rodents and safely cleaning areas contaminated with rodent droppings or urine.
Do not sweep or vacuum them dry; instead, ventilate the area, wear protective gear, and disinfect before cleanup.
Pets do not usually get or spread Hantavirus, but they can bring rodents or contaminated materials into the home.
There is no widely available vaccine for Hantavirus in most countries.
People who live, work, or recreate in areas with rodent exposure, such as farms, cabins, sheds, or wooded areas, are at higher risk.
Seal holes, store food securely, reduce clutter, and use safe rodent control and cleanup methods.
Seek medical help right away if there is recent rodent exposure plus fever, muscle aches, or breathing problems.
It is a concern because it can cause severe, rapidly progressing illness and is linked to common rodent exposures that are sometimes overlooked.
Hantavirus is a group of viruses. It is carried mostly by rodents, like mice and rats. It can make people very ill.
People can catch this virus by breathing it in.
The virus can be in urine, droppings, or saliva from rodents.
This can happen when tiny bits of these get into the air.
Helpful tools and tips:
• Wear a mask if you may breathe in dust.
• Open windows for fresh air.
• Use gloves when cleaning up rodent waste.
• Clean the area gently so dust does not rise.
• Ask someone to help read the instructions if needed.
Human infection is not common.
But it can be serious.
If you think you may be infected, get medical help quickly.
In the Americas, hantavirus can cause a serious illness called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
This illness affects the lungs.
It can be life-threatening.
Early signs can include a high temperature, feeling very tired, sore muscles, a headache, and feeling dizzy. Some people may also feel sick, be sick, or have tummy pain.
Hantavirus disease can be very serious.
It can get worse very quickly.
If it is not treated soon, it can cause problems with breathing or cause shock.
Most Hantavirus infections do not spread from one person to another.
Only a few rare types can spread between people. This is not common.
Rodents are the main animals that carry it. These include deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats, and some other wild rodents.
Hantavirus is found in many parts of the world.
Different types are found in different places.
These include the Americas, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.
If you find this hard to read, it can help to read one short sentence at a time. You can also use a finger or a ruler to keep your place.
Doctors find out what it is by looking at the person’s symptoms, their contact with an ill person or place, and lab tests.
The tests can include blood tests or PCR tests.
There is no single cure.
But getting help early can make a big difference.
Supportive medical care can help a person feel better and do better over time.
Treatment helps support the body while it gets better.
This may include oxygen, fluids given through a vein, help to keep blood pressure normal, and close care in hospital if needed.
Yes. Prevention means avoiding contact with rodents.
It also means cleaning up safely if there are rodent droppings or urine.
Do not sweep or vacuum them when they are dry.
First, open windows or doors to let in fresh air.
Wear protective gloves and a mask to help keep you safe.
Clean the area with disinfectant before you remove the mess.
Pets do not usually catch or spread Hantavirus.
But pets can sometimes bring mice, rats, or dirty things into the home.
These can carry Hantavirus.
To stay safe, wash your hands after touching pets or cleaning up after them. Ask someone to help if you need it.
There is no vaccine for Hantavirus in most countries.
People who live, work, or spend time in places where rodents may be present are more at risk.
This includes farms, cabins, sheds, and wooded areas.
To stay safer, wear gloves when cleaning, keep food sealed, and wash your hands well after being in these places.
Seal any holes. Keep food in closed containers. Reduce clutter in your home. Use safe ways to control rodents and clean up after them.
Get medical help now if you have been near rodents recently and you have a fever, sore muscles, or trouble breathing.
It is a worry because it can make people very sick very quickly. It is also linked to contact with mice and rats. People may not always notice this contact.
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