Hantavirus risk hides in everyday spaces like garages and sheds

Health officials warn hantavirus can hide in common spaces such as garages, sheds, cabins, basements, attics, barns, crawl spaces, and even unused cars, where rodent droppings or nests may be present; inhaling contaminated dust or touching contaminated surfaces can cause infection, though human-to-human transmission is extremely rare and most U.S. cases occur in the West. To reduce risk, dampen and disinfect droppings before cleaning (CDC advises against vacuuming), wear gloves and a mask, dispose of waste properly, and wash hands thoroughly after handling potentially infested areas. The current cruise-ship outbreak involving the Andes strain is notable for human-to-human transmission, but overall hantavirus remains a rare threat in the U.S.