Transmission Routes
Hantavirus is transmitted to humans primarily through contact with infected rodents or their excreta. Understanding the specific routes is fundamental to effective prevention.
Aerosol inhalation
Breathing in dust contaminated with dried rodent urine, droppings or nesting material. The main transmission route for HPS.
Direct contact
Touching eyes, nose or mouth after handling infected rodents or contaminated materials without gloves.
Rodent bite
Direct bite from an infected rodent. Uncommon but documented, particularly in field workers and laboratory staff.
Person-to-person
Only documented for Andes virus (South America). No other hantavirus strain has confirmed human-to-human spread.
High-risk Activities
The risk of hantavirus exposure is highest in environments where rodents have established populations and accumulated excreta. The following activities are associated with the majority of documented cases:
- Cleaning cabins, sheds or outbuildings not regularly used
- Disturbing rodent nests, burrows or droppings
- Camping or sleeping in areas with heavy rodent activity
- Agricultural or forestry work in endemic areas
- Entering caves, abandoned mines or old buildings
- Handling live or dead rodents without PPE
Main Reservoir Rodents
Each hantavirus strain has one or more specific reservoir rodents. The carrier rodent is usually chronically and asymptomatically infected, continuously excreting the virus through saliva, urine and faeces.
| Rodent | Region | Associated virus |
|---|---|---|
| Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) | USA / Canada | Sin Nombre (HPS) |
| Colilargo rat (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus) | Argentina / Chile | Andes (HPS) |
| Bank vole (Myodes glareolus) | Northern Europe | Puumala (HFRS) |
| Striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) | Asia / E. Europe | Hantaan / Dobrava (HFRS) |
| Brown / black rat (Rattus spp.) | Worldwide | Seoul (HFRS, mild) |
The Special Case of Andes Virus
Andes virus, circulating primarily in Argentina and Chile, is the only hantavirus strain that has demonstrated person-to-person transmission. This route has been documented in household clusters or among people with close and prolonged contact with an index case. Casual respiratory transmission as seen with influenza or COVID-19 has not been observed.
Note: Hantavirus is NOT transmitted through water, food, or insect bites. There is no transmission risk in hospitals, workplaces or public places, except in situations of very close contact with a confirmed Andes virus case.