How hantavirus spreads
Main transmission route
Hantaviruses are spread to people mainly through aerosolized particles from rodent:
- Urine
- Droppings (feces)
- Saliva
When these dry, they can become airborne. People breathe in the contaminated dust — this is the most common way people get infected.
Other possible routes
- Direct contact with rodents or their nests
- Bites from infected rodents (rare)
- Contaminated food (rare)
What does NOT spread hantavirus
- Person-to-person transmission — very rare; only documented with Andes virus in South America
- Pets, mosquitoes, ticks, fleas — do not spread hantavirus
- Eating cooked food — properly cooked food is safe
High-risk situations
- Cleaning poorly ventilated, rodent-infested spaces (sheds, cabins, attics)
- Camping or hiking in areas with high rodent populations
- Disturbing rodent nests or burrows
- Handling firewood or materials where rodents have nested
Sources
Hantavirus.Homes — informational content only.