Hantavirus

Hantaviruses are viruses carried by rodents such as mice and rats. People can get infected by breathing in dust that contains dried rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. The Andes virus is a type of hantavirus found in South America. It is the only hantavirus known to spread from person to person.

Important Updates

Public health officials are monitoring a cluster of HPS cases connected to the MV Hondius cruise ship. Seven cases have been confirmed in other states. There is no known exposure risk in Worcester, and the risk to the public remains low. There are no cases in Massachusetts linked to this outbreak.

People who were identified as contacts are being monitored for 42 days, which is the time it can take for symptoms to appear.

High-risk contacts should limit activities, avoid travel, and be ready to isolate if they develop symptoms.
Low-risk contacts may continue normal activities but should monitor their health.

This is an evolving situation, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available. Learn more on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Website.

Prevention

There is no current vaccine or specific treatment for hantavirus infection. The best way to prevent HPS is to avoid contact with rodents and their urine, droppings, or saliva.

General steps to protect yourself:

Wash your hands often.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Improve indoor ventilation.
Do not share personal items.

Rodent related prevention:

Seal openings larger than ¼ inch to keep rodents out.
Store food and trash in tightly sealed containers.
Reduce clutter and remove outdoor debris where rodents may nest.
Use snap traps if needed.
Ventilate and disinfect areas before cleaning rodent droppings.

Symptoms

Symptoms of HPS usually develop 1 to 3 weeks after exposure to a rodent carrying hantavirus or to a person with Andes virus. Early symptoms can include:

Fever
Muscle aches
Cough
Headache
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Symptoms can worsen quickly, causing serious breathing problems. If you have been exposed and develop symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away.