How people get hantavirus

From rodents to people

Infected rodents shed the virus in their urine, droppings and saliva. When that material is disturbed, for example by sweeping, the virus gets into the air as tiny particles. Breathing them in is the main way people get infected.

The virus can also enter through:

• a rodent bite or scratch (rare)
• broken skin
• the eyes, nose or mouth, after touching contaminated surfaces

In the US and Canada the main carrier is the deer mouse. Rats can carry Seoul virus, which is found worldwide.

Situations with higher risk

• Opening and cleaning a cabin, shed, barn, garage or attic that has been closed for a while
• Farm, forestry and pest-control work
• Camping, hiking or sleeping in shelters where rodents live
• Handling pet rats or feeder rodents
• Starting a vehicle or camper that has sat unused, where mice may have nested in the air intake

The Andes virus exception

Andes virus is found in Argentina and Chile and is carried by the long-tailed pygmy rice rat. It is the only hantavirus shown to spread from person to person. This is uncommon and has been linked to:

• close and prolonged contact, mostly household members and intimate partners
• the early phase of illness, when the virus seems most transmissible

The 2026 cruise ship outbreak was caused by Andes virus, which is why passengers were quarantined and close contacts monitored. WHO considers the risk of spread in hospitals very low when standard infection control is followed.

Other hantaviruses, including all those found in North America, Europe and Asia, have never been shown to spread between people.

Sources: WHO fact sheet, CDC: Hantavirus prevention, CDC: About hantavirus, Andes virus (Wikipedia)