Found Mouse Droppings?
Read This Before Cleaning.
Step away from the vacuum. Mouse droppings require specific handling — wrong cleanup technique can release hantavirus particles into the air. Get the right protocol before you touch anything.
What's your situation?
Find the guide that matches what you're dealing with.
Quick Risk Reference
| Situation | Risk Level |
|---|---|
| Fresh mouse droppings in open garage | Low to Moderate |
| Sweeping dried droppings in a closed cabin | Higher — Avoid |
| Touching sealed trap with gloves | Low |
| Vacuuming dry droppings without protection | Avoid |
| Cleaning RV with old mouse nest | Higher |
| Finding droppings outdoors in open air | Low |
Had Rodent Exposure? Here's What to Watch For
Hantavirus symptoms appear 1–8 weeks after exposure — most commonly between weeks 2 and 4. Here's how the window breaks down.
Most people feel normal during this window. Monitor your health — no immediate action needed unless symptoms appear suddenly.
Most HPS cases develop here. Watch for: fever, deep fatigue, and muscle aches in the thighs, hips, and back. See a doctor and mention the rodent exposure.
Still within the possible window, though less common. If any respiratory symptoms develop during this period, tell your doctor about the exposure.
If you've had no symptoms by this point, your likelihood of developing HPS is very low. You can stop actively monitoring.
Go to the ER if: you develop fever + shortness of breath within 1–8 weeks of rodent exposure. Don't wait for symptoms to worsen.
Full symptom timeline →Cleanup by Situation
Find the guide that matches where you found the droppings.
Had an Exposure? Start Here
What actually happened and what it means for your risk.
Identify the Rodent. Know the Risk.
Not all rodents carry the same diseases. Start by knowing what you're dealing with.
News & Outbreaks
View all →Recent developments in hantavirus and rodent-borne disease.
News
Hantavirus Update 2026: What's Actually Happening
Two stories are driving 2026 hantavirus searches: the Hondius cruise outbreak (Andes strain, South America) and ongoing US coverage. Here's what each means for your risk.
News
Hondius Case Count Rises to 12 as Dutch Crew Member Hospitalized; 600 Contacts Monitored Across 30 Countries
The Hondius hantavirus case count has risen to 12 after a Dutch crew member was confirmed infected and hospitalized in the Netherlands. Over 600 contacts are now being monitored across 30 countries — a scale significantly larger than earlier figures suggested.
News
42 Days of Waiting: Inside the US Hantavirus Quarantine After the Hondius Outbreak
After the Hondius hantavirus outbreak, exposed US passengers began a 42-day quarantine. Some are in a Nebraska medical facility. Others are at home in Texas, California, Washington, and Virginia. Here's what the quarantine involves and why the timeline is 42 days.