01
Contaminated dust
Main riskDominant route: dried urine, droppings or nesting material are disturbed, then particles are inhaled.
How does hantavirus spread?
Summary of transmission routes documented by health agencies. Educational information.
Rodent
Reservoir
Urine, droppings, saliva, nests.
Dust
Environment
Aerosolization during dry cleaning.
Lungs
Human infection
Inhalation or mucous membrane contact.
02
Direct contact
High riskContact with a contaminated surface, then nose, mouth, eyes or broken skin.
03
Rodent bite
RareRare but documented: bite from an infected rodent.
04
Contaminated food or water
UncommonIngestion after contact with rodent urine, saliva or droppings.
05
Person-to-person
Andes onlyImportant exception: Andes virus in Argentina/Chile can transmit between people in close contact.
Main route: inhaling contaminated dust
Hantaviruses are shed by some wild rodents in urine, droppings and saliva. When these materials dry and are disturbed, particles may be inhaled.
cleaning mouse droppings must follow a safe method: ventilation, wetting and protection.
Other documented routes
- Direct contact with rodent excreta or urine
- Bite from an infected rodent (rare)
- Contaminated food (less common mechanism)
Human-to-human transmission
Person-to-person transmission is very rare. The notable exception is Andes virus in South America.
Exposure factors
- Poorly ventilated infested buildings: barns, cabins, basements
- Work: farming, pest control, cleaning, construction in older buildings
- Outdoor activities: trekking, camping, abandoned buildings
- Storms and droughts can shift rodent populations