Learning About Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS)

Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) is a lung infection caused by viruses found in the saliva, urine, and droppings of some rodents. The illness is rare but can be deadly.

Most cases of HCPS in the U.S. are caused by one type of hantavirus found in the deer mouse. People can become infected by:

• Breathing in tiny airborne particles that come from rodent urine.
• Touching rodent urine, saliva, or droppings.
• Coming in contact with dust contaminated with the virus.
• Being bitten or scratched by an infected mouse.

People do not get HCPS from farm animals, dogs, cats, or insects. But your pet dog or cat may bring home an infected rodent.

A type of hantavirus called the Andes virus may be spread from person to person. It is mainly found in South America. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about the hantavirus.

Symptoms usually start 1 to 8 weeks after a person has been exposed to the virus. Early symptoms may include:

• A fever and chills.
• Muscle aches and headache.
• Fatigue.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and belly pain.

You quickly will become very sick. Within a few days, you'll start to have more serious symptoms of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) or shock, such as:

• Shortness of breath.
• Coughing.
• A fast heartbeat and fast breathing.

HCPS is a serious lung problem that can be deadly.

Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms, past health, and exposure to rodents. You may have other tests, such as chest X-rays, a complete blood count, and an oxygen saturation test.

Your doctor will know for sure that you have HCPS only if you have the signs of HCPS and if tests show that the virus is or has been in your blood or tissues.

HCPS requires treatment in a hospital right away, even if the case is mild. There is no treatment that cures HCPS. You will get treatment to support you through the illness, such as medicines to treat your symptoms and help your heart and lungs. You may need a ventilator to help you breathe. In some cases, you may need extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for very serious lung and heart problems.

The best way to prevent HCPS is to avoid contact with rodents and their droppings. If you live in or visit an area where the viruses have been found:

• Set metal traps to catch rodents, and block areas where rodents can get into your home.
• Keep garbage in tightly covered containers.
• Clean up rodent bedding sites around your house. You may need to call a professional exterminator.
• If you do the cleanup of rodents, nests, droppings, or urine yourself, be very careful and:
  • Air out closed buildings well before you go inside to clean them.
  • Wear gloves and a mask.
  • Clean with a wet mop and disinfectant. Don't vacuum or sweep.
  • Disinfect the gloves before removing them.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly after removing the gloves.
• When you are camping or hiking, avoid rodent droppings, burrows, and possible rodent shelters. Use only bottled water or water that has been disinfected.
• Do not use a cabin or any other closed shelter that has rodents until it has been aired out, cleaned, and disinfected.