Virginia Tech Finds 6 New Hantavirus Hosts in 3 U.S. Hot Spots

6 articles · Updated · NBC News · May 17

More than 14,000 rodent blood samples collected from 2014 to 2019 led Virginia Tech scientists to identify six new potential hantavirus host species and hot spots in Virginia, Colorado and Texas.
The study found as many as 15 rodent species carrying hantavirus, with Virginia standing out for infected rodents even though the state has recorded only two human cases.
U.S. hantavirus risk still centers on Sin Nombre virus spread from rodent waste, not the Andes strain tied to the MV Hondius outbreak, which officials say has not been found in North America.
Since 1993, the CDC has logged 890 U.S. hantavirus cases and about a 35% death rate, with most infections in the arid West where dry, warm conditions can help contaminated particles become airborne.
An Illinois suspected case linked to cleaning rodent droppings underscores the seasonal risk as warmer weather returns and supports advice to ventilate spaces, disinfect droppings and avoid sweeping or vacuuming.

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