Does hantavirus exist in California?

In California, only one rodent species is known to carry hantavirus: the deer mouse (scientific name, Peromyscus maniculatus).

Can you get hantavirus from hiking?

— campers, hikers, and others who take part in activities outdoors — can become exposed to rodent urine, saliva, or droppings and become infected with hantavirus. You can also become infected by touching your mouth or nose after handling contaminated materials.

Do wood mice carry Hantavirus?

Other rodents, such as house mice, roof rats, and Norway rats, have never been known to give people HPS. Since it is hard to tell if a mouse or a rat carries a hantavirus, it is best to avoid all wild mice and rats and to safely clean up any rodent urine, droppings, or nests in your home.

How long does virus live in mouse droppings?

However, the virus is shed continuously from them: into the droppings and urine they leave around the room, and into their saliva, which dries on anything they have chewed, such as nesting material. Out in the environment like this, the virus can live for several days.

How likely is it to get Hantavirus?

Cohen: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is rare — the chance of getting the disease is 1 in 13,000,000, which is less likely than being struck by lightning.

Do all mice carry Hantavirus?

Only some kinds of mice and rats can give people hantaviruses that can cause HPS. In North America, they are the deer mouse, the white-footed mouse, the rice rat, and the cotton rat. However, not every deer mouse, white-footed mouse, rice rat, or cotton rat carries a hantavirus.

Do house mice have hantavirus?

In North America, they are the deer mouse, the white-footed mouse, the rice rat, and the cotton rat. However, not every deer mouse, white-footed mouse, rice rat, or cotton rat carries a hantavirus. Other rodents, such as house mice, roof rats, and Norway rats, have never been known to give people HPS.

What is the survival rate of hantavirus?

Yes. HPS can be fatal. It has a mortality rate of 38%.

What is the survival rate of Hantavirus?

Where can I find information about hantavirus in Yosemite National Park?

The park provides hantavirus information through its website at https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hantavirus.htm. The park distributes hantavirus information to every visitor entering Yosemite and notices are posted throughout the park, including campsites.

What is the deer mouse hantavirus?

The deer mouse ( Peromyscus maniculatus) is the primary reservoir for Sin Nombre Virus, the strain of hantavirus responsible for the human cases in Yosemite National Park, and most human cases in the United States. The deer mouse is found throughout most of the United States, including Yosemite National Park.

Where can I find information about hantavirus (HPS)?

The deer mouse is found throughout most of the United States, including Yosemite National Park. For additional information on preventing HPS, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hantavirus website or California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website. What are common symptoms for HPS?

How many cases of hantavirus are there in California?

Since HPS was first identified in the United States in 1993, there have been 62 cases in California residents and over 600 cases nationally. Approximately 12 percent of deer mice carry hantavirus.