General · Texas behavioral health news
Hantavirus Frequently Asked Questions
Texas DSHS · By Ilza.Garcia · May 13, 2026
In plain language
Hantavirus is a serious illness spread by contact with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents like rats and mice. Texas reported its first human case in 1993, and while humans can become very sick, pets like dogs and cats do not carry or spread the virus. There is no specific cure for the infection, but hospitals can provide supportive care to help patients manage symptoms. Preventing infection involves keeping rodents out of the home and using specific safety steps when cleaning up rodent waste.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- Hantavirus is transmitted to humans through contact with the waste or saliva of infected rats and mice.
- Common household pets like dogs and cats do not get sick from or spread hantavirus to people.
- There is no specific treatment or antibiotic that cures hantavirus, though hospitals provide supportive care.
- Never sweep or vacuum rodent waste because it can spread the virus through the air.
- Use a disinfectant or bleach solution to soak rodent carcasses and waste for at least five minutes before cleaning.
- Wear waterproof gloves and a mask while sealing waste in double plastic bags for disposal.
Hantavirus Frequently Asked Questions Ilza.Garcia Wed, 05/13/2026 - 03:33 PM Hantavirus Frequently Asked Questions This page provides information about Hantavirus Frequently Asked Questions . Hantaviruses are viruses that can cause serious illness and even death. People can become sick with hantavirus infection if they have contact with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents, such as rats and mice. There are many kinds of hantaviruses worldwide that can make people sick, including the Sin Nombre virus in North America and the Andes virus in South America. The question-and-answer sections presented below contain information about hantavirus disease and how to prevent it. About Hantavirus When was hantavirus detected in the United States? Hantavirus was first detected in the United States in 1993. At that time, human cases were occurring in the Four Corners area of the Southwest (the point where Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico meet). The first case of human hant
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