Hantavirus

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is rare but often fatal lung disease transmitted by rodents, primarily deer mice. Humans typically get the disease by breathing small particles of mouse urine or droppings that have been stirred up into the air. Early symptoms such as fever, headaches and muscle aches appear one to six weeks after exposure. Later, patients develop breathing difficulties that range from cough and shortness of breath to severe respiratory failure. HPS was first identified in 1993.

About Hantavirus

For Providers

• About Hantavirus

  • Contra Costa Fact Sheet (PDF)
  • California Department of Public Health (CDPH) - situation in California
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - national information
  • Cleaning Information from the CDC (PDF)
  • Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control
  • Yosemite situation - National Park Service

• For Providers

  • Contra Costa Health Alert - August 31, 2012 (PDF)
  • California Dept of Public Health Provider Alert and Guidance (PDF)
  • CDC Health Alert