Prevention

The best way to prevent infection with hantaviruses is to avoid contact with rodents and their droppings. The majority of cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) have occurred in the southwestern region of the United States.

You can reduce your exposure to rodents that may carry hantaviruses by:

• Reducing rodent numbers indoors and outdoors.
• Cleaning up rodent-infested areas.

Special precautions for hikers and campers also may be needed to avoid contact with infected rodents.