Hantavirus Prevention — Exposure Control
No licensed hantavirus vaccine is available in Europe or North America. The only authorised vaccine — South Korea's Hantavax — covers Hantaan virus. Prevention is therefore exposure control: reducing rodent populations, suppressing aerosol generation when cleaning, and using appropriate respiratory protection.
Reduce rodent presence around homes
- Seal entry points larger than 6 mm with steel wool plus caulk; cover vents and chimneys with hardware cloth.
- Remove food sources: store grain and pet food in sealed metal or glass containers; remove fallen fruit; secure rubbish.
- Remove harbourage: cut grass and brush within 30 m of structures; elevate woodpiles at least 30 cm off the ground and 30 m from the house.
- Use snap traps continuously; rotate locations; bait with peanut butter or sunflower seeds.
- Avoid live-capture-and-release for confirmed Peromyscus or Apodemus — release sites become re-infestation sources.
Safe cleaning of rodent-contaminated areas
Per CDC procedures, never sweep or vacuum dry excreta — both aerosolise virus. The protocol:
- Ventilate the space for at least 30 minutes before entry; leave doors and windows open.
- Wear an N95/FFP3 respirator, rubber or latex gloves, and goggles.
- Saturate excreta and contaminated surfaces with 1:10 household bleach (5,000 ppm) or an EPA-registered disinfectant; allow 5 minutes' contact.
- Wipe up with paper towels; bag waste; double-bag and seal.
- Mop the floor with disinfectant; do not vacuum even after disinfection.
- Wash gloved hands before removing gloves; wash bare hands after; launder clothes in hot water.
Outdoor and occupational exposure
- Avoid sleeping near rodent burrows or nests when camping; use ground tarps; air out cabins before sleeping.
- Inspect agricultural machinery and grain stores before entry; wear an N95/FFP3 if disturbing accumulated dust.
- Conservation, wildlife, and pest-control workers should follow site-specific safety plans; HPS has been documented in field biologists handling Peromyscus and Apodemus species.
Travel precautions for endemic regions
HORIZON country pages document recent activity for travellers heading to endemic areas: Argentina, Chile, United States (Four Corners), Germany, Finland, China, South Korea. Standard advice: avoid rodent-occupied buildings, avoid disturbing rodent nests during hiking or excursions, prefer modern accommodation, and report rodent infestation to lodge staff.
Vaccine status (2026)
| Vaccine | Coverage | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Hantavax (Green Cross) | Hantaan virus | South Korea — licensed |
| Hantavax-II | Hantaan + Seoul | South Korea — licensed |
| Various DNA/mRNA candidates | SNV / ANDV / multi-serotype | Pre-clinical and Phase I/II in US, EU, China |