Can I get hantavirus from my pet? Here's what pet owners should know
The recent headlines about illnesses and deaths tied to possible hantavirus exposure have left some pet owners wondering whether the virus can be spread through the furry creature sleeping on their couch or curled up on their lap.
While cats and dogs can be infected with the hantavirus, they generally don’t have symptoms and experts say they are highly unlikely to infect their owners.
"They can be exposed, but they don't get sick the way that we know people to get sick," Dr. Kate Elden, the chief medical officer of the veterinary telehealth company, Dutch, told ABC News.
"There's no actual test that a veterinarian or your local vet is going to have."
And even when a dog or cat does have a hantavirus infection, they don’t transfer the virus to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
However, if they bring an infected wild rodent into the home that could theoretically increase your exposure, Elden cautioned.
"Don't hesitate to call your vet if your pet brought a rodent home and starts to [look] unwell," she said.
Elden advised disposing of any rodent your pet has brought home while wearing a mask and gloves, and then thoroughly washing hands with soap and water after it has safely been dispatched.
Even owners of pet rats and mice don’t have much to worry about, Elden said.
"The domestic hamster, guinea pig, gerbil, these are captive bred animals, we have no documentation that they play a role in hantavirus cases or are part of spreading the disease," Elden said.
To be safe, clean cages away from food preparation and spray down bedding to minimize dust particles in the air if necessary, she advised.
Deer mice are the most likely natural hosts for hantavirus, the CDC notes.
The virus lives in their bodies without making them sick, and they spread it through their urine, droppings and saliva, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
But your risk depends a lot on where you live.
Hantavirus remain rare and scattered in the U.S., according to the CDC, with most cases reported in California, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.
People typically become infected after inhaling contaminated particles, usually while cleaning sheds, cabins, garages or rodent-infested areas or while doing outdoor activities like hunting and camping.
One rare exception is the Andes virus, a strain found mainly in South America that can spread from person to person through close contact and has been linked to the recent cruise ship cases. Pets are not known to spread Andes virus to humans.
The CDC lists early symptoms of hantavirus similar to those resembling the flu, including fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, nausea and shortness of breath. The infection can quickly take a turn, becoming more severe and affecting the lungs.
The best way to avoid infection is by reducing rodent activity near your home, Elden said. Seal any holes and clean rodent droppings with a disinfectant instead of sweeping or vacuuming. Keep pet food sealed.
And if you think you've been exposed through any source, the CDC recommends seeking immediate medical attention.
Geraldine Nabeta MD MSc is an incoming chief resident in internal medicine at the University of Connecticut and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit.
