Hantavirus in Pennsylvania and Surrounding States

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that have caused serious illnesses and death in people worldwide, including Pennsylvania, where the last known case was in 2022.

“Hantavirus’s role in the recent tragic death of the actor Gene Hackman and his wife provides an opportunity to educate the public about this virus and implications for residents in our area,” said Jeffrey Jahre, MD, St. Luke’s Senior Vice President of Medical & Academic Affairs and Section Chief Emeritus of Infectious Diseases.

Although hantavirus disease is an uncommon illness in humans and is particularly rare in our region, it has been reported in 41 states including Pennsylvania and some surrounding states, Jahre explained. It is transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents or their excreta, primarily through inhalation of airborne particles including dust containing the virus.

Notably, the risk of exposure is elevated this time of year for people opening summer homes and hunting lodges since such dwellings are often subject to rodent infestations during the winter. In the United States, deer mice are the most common vector, but other rodents including the white-footed mouse, rats and voles are also potential carriers. (There is no human-to-human transmission.)

Regions of the United States that have a higher incidence of hantavirus disease include the Southwest, particularly the Four Corners area of New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado, as well as the western states of California, Washington and Montana. An outbreak among the Navajo in 1993 led to disease’s recognition by the CDC and public health authorities. The specific hantavirus identified became known as Sin Nombre virus, which translates to “no name virus” and is often referred to by the acronym SNV.

The typical incubation period for hantavirus is two to three weeks followed by an onset of fever, chills and severe muscle aches. Common respiratory symptoms other than a cough are notably absent. Because the initial symptoms are nonspecific, they are unlikely to lead to the correct diagnosis if not also accompanied by a known history of recent rodent contact. Serologic testing is used to confirm the diagnosis.

The cardiopulmonary phase of the disease is characterized by an abrupt onset of low blood pressure and a flooding of fluid in the lungs known as pulmonary edema which, without immediate ventilatory support, can lead to death. There is no other specific treatment other than supportive measures.

As with other viral diseases with a high fatality rate, prevention is key. The following are steps to minimize improper contact with rodents and their excreta including feces, saliva and urine:

1. Before entering a long vacant dwelling without protective gear, allow it to fully air out for at least 30 minutes.
2. Seal all potential rodent entry sites using steel wool or other impermeable material.
3. Use effective traps for rodents that may be present. Consult a professional for sealing and trapping if necessary.
4. Use effective protective gear including gloves, goggles, properly fitted N95 or KN95 masks when handling dead rodents, nests or droppings and urine.
5. Do not sweep or vacuum the affected areas to avoid aerosolizing viral particles.
6. Wet down the contaminated areas with a dilute bleach solution of one part bleach to nine parts water or a recognized disinfectant and use paper towels to blot up the area.
7. Wash hands thoroughly after handling rodents or their waste products.
8. Properly dispose of used gloves, masks and contaminated materials in sealed bags.
9. Avoid camping in areas where rodents are known to be present.

If you experience flu like symptoms after exposure to rodents, seek immediate medical attention. For more information on the prevalence of hantavirus in Pennsylvania and other states, see the CDC hantavirus map: https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/HantaviruscaseView/#!/Map.