Hanta Virus | Vermont Department of Health CLOSE Translations for you Hanta Virus Zoonotic Diseases Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Humans Hanta Virus Rabies Tularemia Key Points about Hantavirus Hantavirus can cause a serious illness called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which can be fatal without prompt medical care. The virus spreads from rodents to people, not from person to person. In Vermont, deer mice and white-footed mice can carry hantavirus, but the disease is rare. Important Links Hantavirus (CDC) How it Spreads When fresh urine, droppings, or nesting materials of an infected rodent are stirred up, the virus can get into the air. You can become infected with the virus by breathing in the contaminated air. The virus can also spread when saliva, urine, or feces from an infected animal gets into cuts in a person's skin or their eyes, nose, or mouth. Symptoms Early on in the illness, symptoms of HPS can include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches. Some people may also experience a headache, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. After four to 10 days of these early symptoms, people with HPS will develop a cough and shortness of breath. Prevention The best way to prevent hantavirus infections is to eliminate or minimize contact with rodents: Seal holes in your home, workplace, or campsite to prevent rodents from entering Trap mice around your living space to reduce the population Store food securely and properly Reduce potential nesting sites inside and around your home More prevention steps and strategies (CDC) Hantavirus in Vermont In Vermont, there are two species of rodents that are capable of carrying hantavirus: the deer mouse ( Peromyscus maniculatus and the white-footed mouse ( Peromyscus leucopus While these mice are common throughout the state, hantavirus is an uncommon disease in Vermont. Since 1993, only two cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Vermonters have been reported to the Health Department. In 2014, one out-of-state resident was infected with hantavirus while staying in Vermont and became ill after returning to their home state. Deer Mouse White-footed Mouse Topics: Healthy Homes Respiratory Disease April 9, 2026