Quick answer

People can become infected when they breathe in contaminated dust, touch contaminated materials, or have direct contact with infected rodents. Cleaning dry droppings by sweeping or vacuuming can raise risk because it may disturb contaminated particles.

Common exposure situations

Cleaning stores, cupboards, ceilings, farms, or long-closed rooms with rodent droppings.

Handling rodent nests, dead rodents, traps, or contaminated household items.

Working in dusty areas where rodents have been active.

Camping, farming, or repairs in places with rodent infestation.

Can hantavirus spread from person to person?

Most hantaviruses are not spread from person to person. WHO notes that some Andes virus infections in South America have shown person-to-person spread, but the main prevention message remains avoiding rodent exposure.

What this means in Nigeria

Do not use hantavirus searches to self-diagnose fever. In Nigeria, Lassa fever and malaria are important comparisons, so fever after rodent exposure should be discussed with a health worker.

Official sources

CDC about hantavirus and WHO hantavirus fact sheet.