Myths vs facts

Myth: "Hantavirus spreads like flu between people"

FALSE.

Almost all hantaviruses do not spread from person to person. The only exception is the Andes virus in South America, where rare cases of person-to-person transmission have been documented.

You cannot catch hantavirus by shaking hands, hugging, or being near an infected person.

Myth: "All rodents carry hantavirus"

FALSE.

Only specific species of rodents carry hantavirus:

• Deer mice (USA/Canada) — Sin Nombre virus
• Bank voles (Europe) — Puumala virus
• Striped field mice (Asia) — Hantaan virus
• Norway rats (worldwide) — Seoul virus

Most rodents, including common house mice and pet hamsters, do not carry hantavirus.

Myth: "You can get hantavirus from mosquito or tick bites"

FALSE.

Hantavirus is not spread by mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, or any other insects. The primary transmission route is inhaling dust contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.

Myth: "There's a vaccine available"

FALSE.

There is no approved hantavirus vaccine for humans anywhere in the world. Some vaccines exist for research or veterinary use only.

Myth: "Hantavirus is always fatal"

FALSE.

• HPS (Americas): Fatality rate is about 38%, which means most people survive with proper care.
• HFRS (Europe/Asia): Fatality rate is typically 1–15%, depending on the virus type and healthcare access.

Early medical attention dramatically improves survival rates.

Myth: "Pet rats are dangerous carriers"

FALSE.

Pet rats bred in captivity and kept in clean environments are not a significant source of hantavirus. Wild rodents are the main risk.

Myth: "Hantavirus only exists in remote wilderness areas"

FALSE.

Hantavirus has been found in:

• Urban areas (Seoul virus in rats)
• Suburban homes and sheds
• Agricultural settings
• National parks and forests

Any place where wild rodents live can potentially harbor hantavirus.

Sources

• CDC - Hantavirus
• WHO - Fact Sheet