Following the widely publicized death of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, authorities discovered that Hantavirus was the cause of his wife Betsy's death. Hantavirus is spread by coming in contact with the feces, urine, and saliva of infected rodents. After all the publicity of these tragic deaths, many pet owners like myself began wondering, Can dogs get Hantavirus? What about cats?
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| Several types of wild Mice and Rats could carry Hantavirus |
I was already aware of Hantavirus. Since we hike a lot with our dogs, I watch a lot of hiking videos. I recall a story about a young woman who was hiking and camping for several months. While staying at a camp ground she became very ill but doctors couldn't figure out what was making her so sick.
She finally mentioned to medical staff that they had a mouse problem in the shelter she was staying in. The mice continually ran in and out of the shelter getting into everything, searching for food. They were relentless, as mice usually are!
The doctor finally tested her for Hantavirus, and sure enough that was the problem. She was fortunate, her illness didn't progress to the severity that Betsy Hackman's did and she was able to recover. Ever since that video, I'm acutely aware of the dangers of Hantavirus. It may seem like a mouse getting into your tent, backpack, house or barn is trivial and poses no threat, but that might not be the case!
I felt Hantavirus was a good topic to cover on the blog since so many of us love to share outdoor adventures with our dogs and cats. Even while hiking, pets or their people could stumble upon a rodent nest.
I began researching Hantavirus and the impact to dogs and cats, but something odd happened. I found different information from different sources, which happens but it's a bit unusual. When that happens, I look for the most authoritative sources I can. In this case, I relied a lot on information provided by U.S. government sources, namely the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Park Service government web sites.
These government web sites were definitely aligned on the key facts about Hantavirus. One of the reasons I trusted these government sources is because incidents of Hantavirus are mandated to be reported to local health departments and National Parks, as Hantavirus incidents are considered a public heath concern. Therefore, these government agencies would have the data!
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| Both cats and dogs could encounter rodents infected with Hantavirus |
Having said that, I want to share the key facts I found out about Hantavirus, including as it pertains to dogs and cats. I've linked to the 3 government sources I used, and their Hantavirus web pages below.
HANTAVIRUS IN DOGS
Just so you can immediately let out a sigh of relief;
🐾 Although dogs and cats can become infected with hantavirus, they do Not get sick from hantavirus infection.
🐾 In addition, dogs and cats do Not spread hantaviruses to people.
🐾 Hantavirus is Not transmitted from person to person either.
Whew! Feel better? I know I did when I learned these critical facts! Bear in mind however, your cat or dog could potentially catch a mouse or rat that is infected with Hantavirus and bring it home. Even though your pet may not be at risk of becoming clinically ill from the virus, you should keep your distance. If the rodent is still alive, make sure you do not come in contact with it's waste or saliva, and be sure it doesn't bite you. You could contract Hantavirus.
WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS?
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses carried by
certain rats and mice.
Hantaviruses are shed in the urine, feces, and saliva of infected rodents. Humans can get Hantavirus by coming in contact with infected mouse or rat droppings, urine, or saliva. The infectious particles can be inhaled, ingested (through food contaminated by an infected rodent), or transmitted through a bite from an infected rodent. Hantavirus is not transmitted from person to person, or from dogs and cats to people.
Hantavirus is carried by deer mice as well as several other mice and rats. It is nearly impossible to tell if a mouse or rat is infected with Hantavirus so it is recommended that you treat any mouse or rat droppings as though they could be infected with the virus.
In North America, Hantavirus can be spread by; the Deer Mouse, the White-footed Mouse, the Rice Rat, and the Cotton Rat.
The US geographic range of the Deer Mouse is very broad. They are found in most areas of the United States, but are not prevalent in Florida. The White Footed mouse is found in many areas of the United States, but are not prevalent in Florida or the West coast. The Cotton Rat and Rice Rat are found mainly in the Southeastern US. These rodents also have a presence in Canada.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)
Hantavirus can potentially attack the lungs of people, causing Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe, sometimes
fatal respiratory disease in humans. This is what claimed the life of Betsy Hackman.
Hantavirus Symptoms usually start one to eight weeks after contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of an infected mouce or rat. But most cases develop symptoms within 3 weeks of exposure.
Early symptoms
of HPS include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, and may also include
headaches, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Four to 10 days
after the initial phase, late symptoms of coughing and difficulty breathing
appear. The mortality rate of HPS is 38%.
Anyone who is exposed to infected rodents or their waste is
at risk for Hantavirus. Rodent infestation in and around the home is the primary risk.
People can get Hantavirus by:
⚠️ Breathing in air contaminated with mouse or rat
urine, droppings, or nesting materials from an infected rodent.
⚠️ Touching
contaminated mouse or rat urine, droppings ,or nesting materials and then
touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
⚠️ Being bitten or scratched by an infected rodent.
⚠️ Eating food contaminated by urine, droppings or saliva from an infected
rodent - this is the one that really creeps me out! Mice and rats are relentless at trying to get into our food. If you ever see mice or rats in or around your home, seal your food up tight and keep open food packages in the refrigerator.
Activities that can put people at risk for Hantavirus are:
⚠️ Cleaning up mouse and rat urine, droppings, and nests
without wearing protective gear such as rubber or plastic gloves.
⚠️ Participating in recreational outdoor activities where exposure to mice and rat habitat may occur, like staying in trail shelters, camping, and even hiking!
⚠️ Going inside a home, shed, camper, or
cabin infested with rodents.
⚠️ Working in areas where mice and rats may live, such as barns or vehicles.
PIN THIS!
How To Prevent Hantavirus
Keep rodents out of your house!
✅ The best way to protect yourself and your family from Hantavirus is by keeping wild mice and rats out of your home and cleaning up after rodents very carefully.
✅ Inspect your home to ensure there aren’t any gaps or holes that may allow mice or rats to squeeze through. Don’t leave pet food or pet water bowls out where rodents may access them. If you see what looks like rodent waste, clean it up right away but do it carefully so you don’t come in physical contact with or breathe in their waste. Sometimes it’s best to hire a professional to remove rodent waste, and to look for and seal up any gaps in your home.
✅ Bear in mind that your cat or dog could potentially catch and even kill an infected rodent. Your pet may not get sick from the infected rodent, but be careful you don’t come in contact with any of the rodent’s body fluids.
✅ Avoid wild rodents and safely clean up any rodent urine, droppings, or nests in or around your home, barn, shed, etc.
Stay alert for wild mice and rats, and steer clear of their waste and saliva. If you suspect a rodent issue in or around your home, contact a professional pet management company! Better safe than sorry.
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SOURCES: Along with reports and press conferences from reliable news sources, the 3 government web site pages I used as my main sources for the Hantavirus information in this blog post are:
The United States CDC (Center for Disease Control) Hantavirus web page. Definitely check out this page, it has some terrific educational infographics!
The United States government web site, NationalInstitutes of Health (NIH), Hantavirus web page
The United States National Park Service government website Hantaviurs web page
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