The risk of hantavirus to the general public is extremely low, including in our region.
Hantavirus is a rare viral illness most commonly spread when people breathe in airborne virus particles released from disturbed wild rodent urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials.
The Andes strain of hantavirus can be transmitted from person to person through bodily fluids and close, prolonged contact with a person who is sick with the disease.
Infected people cannot transmit disease until they develop symptoms.
Symptoms can appear anywhere from 4 to 42 days after exposure and often begin with flu-like symptoms.
Although hantavirus can cause serious illness, it is important to know that infections are rare and the overall risk to the public is low. Early medical attention can improve outcomes significantly.
(The above statement has been approved by Hospital Epidemiologist Gabriela M. Andujar Vazquez, MD.)
For more information, listen to the below video that was recorded on May 11, 2026 with Dartmouth Health Chief Clinical Officer Edward J. Merrens, MD, MHCDS.
