Educational · Prevention
Prevention Checklist
Hantavirus has no vaccine and no specific cure — prevention is the only reliable defense. Use the checklists below for your situation.
~38%
Case fatality rate (HPS)
0
Approved vaccines
100%
Preventable with hygiene
Before entering closed spaces
Cabins, sheds, barns, crawl spaces left vacant
- 01Open all doors and windows for at least 30 minutes before entering. Leave the area while it airs out.
- 02Do NOT sweep or vacuum dry droppings — this aerosolizes the virus.
- 03Wear an N95 (or better) respirator, rubber/latex gloves, and protective eyewear.
- 04Carry a spray bottle with a 1:10 bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) or EPA-registered disinfectant.
Cleaning droppings & nests
Anyone cleaning rodent-contaminated areas
- 01Spray droppings, nests, and surrounding area thoroughly with disinfectant. Let soak 5 minutes.
- 02Pick up with paper towels and place in a sealed plastic bag.
- 03Double-bag the waste and dispose in a covered outdoor trash container.
- 04Mop or sponge the area with disinfectant — never sweep or vacuum.
- 05Disinfect gloves before removing. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Camping & hiking
Backcountry campers, RV users, hikers
- 01Avoid sleeping in or near rodent burrows, woodpiles, or buildings with visible droppings.
- 02Pitch tents on bare ground or a tarp — not in tall grass or near garbage.
- 03Store food in sealed metal or thick plastic containers, never in cardboard.
- 04Don't enter abandoned cabins or shelters without ventilating first.
- 05Inspect RVs and campers that have been in storage — check for nesting and droppings before entering.
Rural & agricultural workers
Farmers, foresters, grain handlers, pest control
- 01Use mechanical traps with bait — keep traps set year-round in barns and storage buildings.
- 02Seal holes larger than 1/4 inch in walls, foundations, and around utility lines (steel wool + caulk).
- 03Store grain and animal feed in rodent-proof containers.
- 04Wear PPE (N95 + gloves) when handling livestock bedding, hay, or stored crops with rodent activity.
- 05Report any flu-like illness with shortness of breath to a doctor immediately — mention rodent exposure.
At home (general public)
Homeowners and renters in endemic areas
- 01Eliminate food sources: clean spills immediately, store pet food in sealed containers.
- 02Remove brush, junk, and woodpiles within 100 ft of the house.
- 03Set snap traps along walls in attics, garages, and basements.
- 04Seal entry points around doors, windows, vents, and pipe penetrations.
- 05Keep pet food bowls indoors overnight.
Symptoms — seek care immediately
Fever, severe muscle aches, fatigue, headache, dizziness, chills — followed within days by coughing and shortness of breath. If you've been in a rodent-infested space and develop these symptoms, tell your doctor about the exposure. Early hospital care dramatically improves survival.
Source: CDC "Preventing Hantavirus Disease" guidelines.