Three deaths in California. A high-profile case in New Mexico. A cruise ship outbreak linked to person-to-person transmission. Suddenly, hantavirus is everywhere in the news.
The headlines, however, only tell part of the story. To better understand the real risks associated with hantavirus, it’s important to look beyond the news cycle and examine how the disease spreads, who is at risk, and what can be done to prevent it.
What Is Hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are a group of zoonotic viruses in the Hantaviridae family. A zoonotic virus is one that can be transmitted from animals to humans. In the case of hantaviruses, the primary carriers are wild rodents.
More than 50 hantavirus species have been identified worldwide, and the strains found in humans vary by geographic region and rodent host. In the United States, the most common hantavirus is Sin Nombre virus, which is endemic to North America. Several less common regional strains also exist.
Sin Nombre virus is the leading cause of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the United States, a severe and potentially life-threatening respiratory disease that often begins with flu-like symptoms before progressing to serious breathing difficulties.
How Does Hantavirus Spread?
Hantavirus most commonly spreads when people inhale airborne particles contaminated with the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents. Infection can also occur through direct contact with rodent urine, feces, blood, or saliva, followed by touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.
In the United States, the primary carrier of Sin Nombre virus is the deer mouse, followed by the white-footed mouse. While the white-footed mouse is not found along the West Coast, deer mice are widespread throughout North America and are commonly found in rural and semi-rural wooded, brushy, and grassy areas. Common house mice and other commensal rodent species in the United States are rarely associated with hantavirus transmission.
Unlike some other hantavirus strains, Sin Nombre virus is not known to spread from person to person. However, the Andes virus, which is found primarily in South America, can be transmitted between people during prolonged close contact. The primary carrier of Andes virus is the long-tailed pygmy rice rat, a species that is not found in North America.
How Is Hantavirus Treated?
There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus infection. Once infection occurs, early medical intervention and supportive hospital care offer the best chance for recovery. Because HPS can progress rapidly, seeking medical attention as soon as symptoms develop is critical.
How Can You Avoid Hantavirus?
Prevention remains the most effective defense against hantavirus. Avoid areas with heavy rodent activity whenever possible. If you must enter these areas, wear long sleeves and pants, disposable gloves, eye protection, and a NIOSH-approved N95 or higher-rated respirator. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth while working, and change clothing promptly after leaving the site.
It is also important to avoid stirring up dust in rodent-infested areas, as contaminated dust particles can become airborne and increase the risk of exposure. These precautions apply to both homeowners and pest management professionals who may encounter rodent activity during inspections, cleanup efforts, or control programs.
Recent Hantavirus Cases and Outbreaks
The CDC reported seven hantavirus cases and two resulting deaths in the United States during 2025. However, the actual number may be higher if additional state reports are confirmed.
One notable example occurred in Mammoth Lakes, California, where three people died from HPS in early 2025. Health officials linked the cases to an unusually large deer mouse population in the area at the time.
One of the CDC’s reported HPS fatalities was Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman. Arakawa died from HPS in February 2025 at her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The case drew widespread media attention because of its association with a well-known public figure.
More recently, hantavirus made international headlines following a May 2026 outbreak aboard the M/V Hondius cruise ship. The outbreak involved the Andes virus, one of the few hantavirus strains capable of person-to-person transmission during prolonged close contact.
The outbreak initially resulted in seven cases, including three deaths. Since then, six additional cases have been reported, four of which have been laboratory confirmed. While Andes virus can spread between people, transmission remains relatively uncommon. Public health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, and the CDC has classified the outbreak as low risk.
Conclusion
Despite recent headlines, hantavirus is highly unlikely to become the next global pandemic. Nevertheless, the disease remains a serious public health concern due to the severity of HPS and the continued presence of rodent populations throughout the United States.
The best protection against hantavirus is an integrated pest management strategy built on exclusion, sanitation, and population control. Effective tools include snap traps, glue boards, multi-catch traps, rodenticide baits, and other integrated pest management solutions.
Whether you’re a homeowner, facility manager, or pest management professional, reducing rodent activity is one of the most effective ways to lower the risk of hantavirus exposure. Just as importantly, always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when working in areas where rodent activity is present or suspected.