Rare, Deadly and Preventable: Hantavirus – Why Experts Say Rodent Droppings Deserve Serious Caution
NEW YORK, NY – A rare but highly dangerous illness linked to rodents is drawing renewed attention from health officials, as homeowners across the country continue to deal with rising reports of rat and mouse activity in and around their homes.
The disease, known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, is uncommon – but when it occurs, it can be severe. According to federal health guidance, most infections happen when people breathe in dust contaminated with rodent droppings, urine, or nesting materials.
Health experts warn the risk is not widespread, but it is real.
Officials say the illness often begins like the flu, then can quickly progress to serious breathing problems.
How exposure happens
Unlike many respiratory viruses, hantavirus is not typically spread from person to person in the United States. Instead, exposure usually happens while cleaning garages, attics, barns, storage sheds, crawlspaces, or other areas where rodents have been nesting.
Activities that stir up dust – sweeping, vacuuming, and dry cleaning – can increase the danger.
In rare cases, people have also been infected after touching contaminated material and then touching their mouth or nose, or after a rodent bite.
A disease with high stakes
Early symptoms are easy to miss: fever, fatigue, aches, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. In some patients, symptoms escalate within days as fluid builds in the lungs. Federal health officials report that the illness carries a mortality rate of roughly one-third once it reaches the lung phase.
Doctors urge anyone who develops sudden breathing problems after rodent exposure to seek medical care immediately and mention possible contact.
Not just “city rats”
Despite popular belief, the rodents most associated with hantavirus in North America are not usually the large urban rats seen on sidewalks and around dumpsters.
Smaller wild species – including deer mice and certain field mice – are more commonly tied to the virus, especially in rural and wooded settings. Even so, health experts caution that any rodent infestation should be taken seriously, since rats and mice can spread several other illnesses as well.
Rare – but worth knowing about
Hantavirus remains rare across the United States, with only a limited number of confirmed cases reported each year. Cases have appeared in several regions, particularly areas where people come into contact with rodent habitats around vacation cabins, farms, and storage buildings.
Public health officials emphasize awareness over alarm. The key message: people should treat rodent droppings and nests carefully and avoid stirring contaminated dust into the air.
Cleanup: the safer approach
When droppings are discovered, officials recommend avoiding sweeping or vacuuming. Instead, areas should be aired out, disinfected, and handled with gloves – and large infestations should be addressed by licensed pest control professionals.
Local connection; Documented Cases In Long Island And New York State
Rodent issues can affect communities across the country – including suburban areas, coastal towns, and city neighborhoods. While hantavirus infections in regions like Long Island and the Northeast remain uncommon, residents still encounter rats and mice regularly, particularly around older homes, restaurants, dumpsters, and waterfront areas.
For homeowners, the concern is less about panic and more about prevention: sealing entry points, reducing clutter, securing garbage, and dealing with infestations promptly.
- A 2017 Long Island case: A woman on the east end of Long Island contracted a form of New York orthohantavirus, linked to mouse exposure, and developed severe complications including respiratory failure and other organ involvement. This strain is carried by white-footed mice and has been identified in the region.
- A Montauk resident died from hantavirus after cleaning out a basement and shed where mice had been nesting. Local and state health officials confirmed the cause, noting hantavirus in rodent droppings as the likely source.
- A Belmont Park worker on Long Island was suspected to have died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome following exposure to rodent excretions near the racetrack area, prompting health investigations and changes in pest-control practices.
- A Stony Brook area man hospitalized after a suspected hantavirus infection was reported following exposure while camping in the Adirondacks – showing the disease has been a concern for residents in the wider region. CBS News
Although cases are very rare, New York State has recorded hantavirus infections in both urban and rural settings over the years. Since surveillance began, New York has documented only a handful of cases compared with states in the West, but these Long Island examples show it does occur here.
As more households take on DIY cleanup projects, seasonal storage, and renovations, health officials say now is a good time to remind the public that rodent problems carry more than structural and sanitation concerns. They also come with serious health risks – even if those risks are rare. Knowing is half the battle.
Key Facts and Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Disease | Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) |
| Cause | Virus spread primarily through rodents and their droppings/urine |
| Main Exposure Risk | Breathing in contaminated dust while cleaning rodent-infested areas |
| Person-to-Person Spread | Not typically seen in the U.S. |
| Early Symptoms | Fever, fatigue, aches, headache, nausea |
| Severe Symptoms | Shortness of breath, fluid in lungs, respiratory failure |
| Estimated Mortality | Roughly 30–40 percent once lung complications begin |
| Primary Carriers (U.S.) | Deer mice, white-footed mice, cotton rats, rice rats |
| Where Cases Occur | Mostly rural and semi-rural settings, cabins, barns, sheds |
| Long Island / NY Connection | Rare cases reported over the years, including at least one fatal case linked to rodent exposure |
| Prevention Focus | Rodent control, careful cleanup, avoiding dust-stirring activities |
Questions & Answers: What Readers Likely Want to Know
What exactly is hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a virus carried by certain wild rodents. People can become infected when droplets or dust from rodent urine, droppings, or nests become airborne and are breathed in. In rare cases, it leads to a severe lung illness called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Do you have to touch rat droppings to get it?
No. The primary risk comes from inhaling contaminated dust, especially during sweeping, vacuuming, or disturbing old nests. Touching droppings and then touching your face could also pose a risk.
Is this mainly a “city rat” problem?
Not typically. The rodents most often linked to hantavirus in North America are smaller wild mice, especially deer mice and white-footed mice. However, all rodent infestations carry health risks and should be addressed.
How common is hantavirus in our area?
It is rare in New York and the Long Island region. A few documented cases have occurred over the years, including at least one fatal infection tied to rodent exposure. Health officials emphasize awareness, not panic.
What symptoms should people watch for?
Early symptoms resemble the flu: fever, fatigue, body aches, headaches, nausea. If breathing becomes difficult within a few days, that can signal a medical emergency — especially if there has been recent rodent exposure.
Can I just sweep droppings up and throw them away?
Health officials strongly advise against sweeping or vacuuming. That spreads particles into the air. Droppings should be soaked with disinfectant first, wiped carefully, and handled with gloves.
Should I call pest control?
Yes – especially if there is an active infestation or large amount of droppings. Licensed professionals have protective equipment and safer cleanup methods.
Should homeowners be worried?
Concerned – but not alarmed. Hantavirus is rare, but rodent problems are common. Safe cleanup, prevention, and quick medical attention if symptoms appear are the key takeaways.
