According to the CDC, hantaviruses spread mainly through infected rodents; in the Americas they can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), while other strains cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in parts of Europe and Asia. The WHO fact sheet describes incubation commonly between about one and eight weeks depending on virus type, and stresses that care is supportive because there is no licensed antiviral or vaccine for these infections.
Think you may have been exposed?
If you cleaned a rodent-infested space, handled rodents as part of your job, or spent time where droppings or nests were disturbed and you later develop fever, muscle aches, headache, or trouble breathing, treat it as urgent. CDC advises seeking medical care immediately and mentioning possible rodent exposure.
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Why this site exists
Search results can mix speculation with reliable guidance. Each page here ties statements to dated agency publications so you can verify wording quickly. When guidance conflicts between agencies or dates, we say so and link both sources—as with the developing May 2026 cruise-ship cluster summarized on the outbreak page.