Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
Hantavirus is a virus carried by some rodents, including deer mice in Washington State. Hantavirus can cause a rare but deadly disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). You can get HPS by breathing in hantavirus. This can happen when rodent urine and droppings that contain hantavirus are stirred up in the air.
You can also get infected by touching mouse or rat urine, droppings, or nesting materials that contain the virus, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. It’s also possible to get HPS from a mouse or rat bite. The disease does not spread person-to-person.
Deer mouse. Photo by James Gathany/CDC
Resources for the general public
For auto mechanics
English only
- Additional information about hantavirus and the cluster of cases in King County
- Hantavirus facts and brochure, CDC
- Guidance for cleaning rodent infested areas
- Guidance for cleaning and disinfection of vehicles with rodent infestations
Resources for health care professionals
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a reportable condition in King County: See disease reporting requirements
- Hantavirus clinical information, CDC
Hantavirus in King County
Purpose of surveillance:
- To facilitate diagnostic testing of suspected cases
- To identify sources of infection
- To facilitate environmental cleanup of rodent-infested areas where cases have occurred
Local epidemiology:
One case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) was reported in 2016 and another two cases have been reported in 2017. Since 1997, seven cases of HPS have been reported in King County; four cases occurred in adult males and three in adult females. Two cases were most likely exposed in Eastern or Central Washington, one in Idaho, and four in King County. The last fatal case occurred in 2017.
Updates from the Public Health Insider blog:
- Rodents, your car, and hantavirus: What to do if you suspect rodents are lviing in your vehicle, (4/21/17)
- A new case of Hantavirus suspected in King County, (4/4/17) Also available in Spanish, Chinese Traditional and Chinese Simplified
- Two cases of Hantavirus reported in King County since December, 2016: be aware of health risks associated with deer mouse infestations, (3/3/17)
Each year in Washington state between one and five hantavirus cases are reported, usually from the eastern parts of the state.
Seoul virus is a type of hantavirus that can be spread by wild and pet rats and does not cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome; read more about Seoul virus.
Link/share our site at www.kingcounty.gov/hantavirus