Hantavirus prevention

Mice can squeeze through gaps as small as 6mm — approximately the width of a pencil. Seal cracks around pipes, cables, and foundations with steel wool and caulk. Focus on ground-level entry points, ventilation gaps, and gaps where pipes enter walls.

Keep all food — including pet food and bird seed — in sealed, hard-sided containers. Rodents are attracted by easily accessible food sources. Glass or metal containers with tight-fitting lids are more resistant than cardboard or thin plastic.

Clutter, stacked cardboard, insulation piles, and dense vegetation close to the home create ideal rodent nesting habitat. Regular inspection of storage areas — especially basements, attics and garages — helps identify infestations early.

Use secure, rodent-proof bins for household waste. Do not leave uncovered food waste outside. Compost bins should be rodent-proof. Bird feeders should be cleaned regularly and positioned away from the main building.

Sweeping or vacuuming dry rodent droppings creates airborne particles that can carry hantavirus. This is one of the highest-risk activities for infection. Use wet methods instead.

Spray droppings and contaminated surfaces thoroughly with a disinfectant solution (or a bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water). Allow to soak for at least 5 minutes before carefully wiping up with disposable paper towels. Bag and bin immediately.

When cleaning areas with confirmed or suspected rodent activity, wear disposable gloves, an N95 or FFP2 respirator mask (surgical masks are not sufficient for aerosol protection), and eye protection. Wash hands thoroughly after removing gloves.

Before entering a barn, shed, cabin, or other enclosed space that has been closed for a period, open doors and windows and allow air to circulate for at least 30 minutes before entering. This reduces the concentration of any aerosols.

Avoid camping in areas with visible rodent burrows, droppings, or nesting material. Where possible, camp in open areas away from dense brush, wood piles, and rock crevices — all of which provide rodent habitat.

Avoid sleeping directly on the ground where rodents may have been active. Air out tents and sleeping equipment before use. Inspect sleeping gear for signs of rodent activity. Store food in sealed containers away from sleeping areas.

Never handle dead rodents with bare hands. If removal is necessary, use thick rubber gloves or a plastic bag as a barrier. Place the carcass in a sealed bag and dispose of it in an outdoor bin. Wash hands thoroughly.

Rodent populations fluctuate — conditions like mild winters or plentiful food supplies can cause population booms that increase human exposure risk. If you are travelling to a high-risk region, check current public health advisories.

Hantavirus exposure risk varies significantly by destination. Southern South America (Argentina, Chile), the south-western USA, and parts of Asia carry higher risk. Check the current status on our travel safety page and consult official travel health advisories.

Remote expedition travel — including polar voyages, island wildlife tours, and backcountry trekking — may bring travellers into rodent habitats not typically encountered by tourists. The April 2026 MV Hondius itinerary (Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha) illustrates how rodent-endemic remote areas can expose travellers.

Hantavirus has an incubation period of approximately 7 to 39 days. Symptoms may not appear until weeks after the exposure event. If you develop fever, severe muscle aches, or breathing difficulty within 5–6 weeks of travel in a risk area, inform your doctor and mention your travel history.

If you are planning expedition travel to remote areas in South America, southern Africa, or sub-Antarctic islands, consult a travel medicine specialist before departure. They can advise on specific precautions and ensure you are aware of local health conditions.