welcome
Live Science

Live Science

Health

Health

What is hantavirus? The rare but deadly respiratory illness spread by rodents

Live Science
Summary
Nutrition label

87% Informative

Between 1993 and 2022 , 864 cases of hantavirus disease were reported in the U.S. New Mexico reported the highest number of cases, at 122 , followed by Colorado and Arizona .

Hantaviruses are typically carried and spread by rodents, such as rats and mice.

Humans can become infected after being exposed to the urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people eliminate or minimize contact with wild rodents.