[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":183},["ShallowReactive",2],{"article:hantavirus:hantavirus-in-maryland":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":143,"description":144,"extension":145,"faq":146,"image":156,"image_alt":157,"last_updated":158,"meta":159,"meta_description":160,"meta_title":161,"navigation":162,"path":163,"related":164,"risk_level":174,"seo":175,"sources":176,"stem":180,"subcategory":181,"__hash__":182},"hantavirus\u002Fhantavirus\u002Fhantavirus-in-maryland.md","Hantavirus in Maryland: Risk by Region and What to Know",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":134},"minimark",[9,13,18,35,38,42,45,51,57,63,67,70,77,80,84,87,90,94,97,131],[10,11,12],"p",{},"Hantavirus exists in Maryland, but cases are rare — a small number of confirmed infections have been documented in the state since CDC surveillance began in 1993. If you're a Maryland resident who found this page after seeing hantavirus in the news, the short answer is: the risk is real but low, it's not new, and it's concentrated in specific situations.",[14,15,17],"h2",{"id":16},"the-rodent-carrying-it-in-maryland","The Rodent Carrying It in Maryland",[10,19,20,21,25,26,30,31,34],{},"Maryland's primary carrier is the ",[22,23,24],"strong",{},"white-footed mouse"," (",[27,28,29],"em",{},"Peromyscus leucopus","), a common woodland species found throughout the state. The viral strain associated with this mouse is the ",[22,32,33],{},"New York virus",", one of several hantavirus strains circulating in North America.",[10,36,37],{},"White-footed mice range from the Appalachian ridges in the west to the wooded neighborhoods of the Baltimore-Washington suburbs and the Eastern Shore. The mouse itself is widespread — what matters for risk is whether and how you come into contact with its urine, droppings, or nesting materials, particularly in enclosed spaces.",[14,39,41],{"id":40},"where-in-maryland-risk-is-highest","Where in Maryland Risk Is Highest",[10,43,44],{},"Risk is not uniform across the state. Geography and land use shape exposure opportunity significantly.",[10,46,47,50],{},[22,48,49],{},"Western Maryland (Garrett and Allegany Counties)"," carries the highest risk. This Appalachian region has dense forest cover, a cold winter climate that drives rodents into structures to overwinter, and a higher concentration of rural properties: hunting cabins, agricultural storage buildings, barns, and vacation properties that sit unoccupied for months. These are exactly the conditions — sealed-up structures with undisturbed rodent activity — where hantavirus exposure is most likely.",[10,52,53,56],{},[22,54,55],{},"Central Maryland and DC suburbs"," (Montgomery, Howard, Baltimore counties and surrounding areas) have white-footed mice in wooded backyards and parks, but the risk profile is lower. Suburban homes are more frequently occupied, better sealed, and less likely to accumulate undisturbed rodent nesting. Exposure risk exists when dealing with an infested shed, detached garage, or crawlspace — but it's not a day-to-day concern for most residents.",[10,58,59,62],{},[22,60,61],{},"Eastern Shore and Chesapeake Bay region"," also has white-footed mice but sees similarly low exposure risk. Coastal plain terrain and generally milder conditions don't concentrate the specific high-risk scenarios the way western mountain counties do.",[14,64,66],{"id":65},"how-many-cases-has-maryland-had","How Many Cases Has Maryland Had?",[10,68,69],{},"Maryland has recorded very few confirmed HPS cases — likely under five total since CDC tracking began in 1993. The state does not consistently appear in CDC's annual high-count summaries, which are dominated by western states like New Mexico, Colorado, and California.",[10,71,72,73,76],{},"That low case count reflects both the lower rodent density compared to western regions and the absence of deer mice (",[27,74,75],{},"Peromyscus maniculatus","), the species responsible for most HPS cases nationally. Maryland's white-footed mouse does carry hantavirus, but has been associated with fewer documented infections overall.",[10,78,79],{},"The Maryland Department of Health would be the primary state-level source for any current case data.",[14,81,83],{"id":82},"why-searches-spiked-in-2026","Why Searches Spiked in 2026",[10,85,86],{},"Search interest in \"hantavirus Maryland\" increased in early 2026, but this does not reflect a new Maryland outbreak or change in state risk. The spike follows national news coverage — specifically, reporting on the Hondius expedition cruise ship situation and attention to a 2025 hantavirus death in New Mexico.",[10,88,89],{},"When hantavirus makes national headlines, people reasonably wonder about their own state. Maryland's risk profile has not changed. There is no unusual rodent activity or cluster of cases prompting concern from state health authorities.",[14,91,93],{"id":92},"practical-steps-for-maryland-residents","Practical Steps for Maryland Residents",[10,95,96],{},"Standard precautions apply whether you're in Garrett County or a Baltimore suburb:",[98,99,100,107,113,119,125],"ul",{},[101,102,103,106],"li",{},[22,104,105],{},"Before entering a cabin or outbuilding that's been closed for months",", ventilate for at least 30 minutes before working inside. Don't sweep or vacuum rodent droppings dry — this kicks up particles.",[101,108,109,112],{},[22,110,111],{},"Use PPE when cleaning rodent evidence."," An N95 mask and gloves are appropriate for any enclosed-space cleanup involving droppings, nesting material, or dead rodents.",[101,114,115,118],{},[22,116,117],{},"Wet-clean with disinfectant."," Spray a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) on droppings and let it soak before wiping. Never sweep dry.",[101,120,121,124],{},[22,122,123],{},"Seal entry points."," Mice can enter through gaps the diameter of a pencil. Steel wool, hardware cloth, and caulk are effective for closing structural gaps.",[101,126,127,130],{},[22,128,129],{},"Western Maryland property owners"," with seasonal cabins or agricultural buildings should treat any spring opening as a rodent-cleanup situation until confirmed otherwise.",[10,132,133],{},"If you've been cleaning out a space with significant rodent evidence and develop fever, muscle aches, or shortness of breath within 1–5 weeks, tell your doctor about the potential exposure. Early medical attention matters.",{"title":135,"searchDepth":136,"depth":136,"links":137},"",2,[138,139,140,141,142],{"id":16,"depth":136,"text":17},{"id":40,"depth":136,"text":41},{"id":65,"depth":136,"text":66},{"id":82,"depth":136,"text":83},{"id":92,"depth":136,"text":93},"hantavirus","Maryland has documented a handful of HPS cases over three decades. Western Maryland carries the most risk; suburban and urban areas are lower. Standard precautions apply.","md",[147,150,153],{"question":148,"answer":149},"Is there hantavirus in Maryland?","Yes, but cases are rare. Maryland has had a small number of confirmed HPS cases since CDC surveillance began in 1993. The primary carrier is the white-footed mouse. Western Maryland — especially Garrett and Allegany counties — carries the most risk due to rural character and Appalachian terrain.",{"question":151,"answer":152},"What parts of Maryland have the most hantavirus risk?","Western Maryland, particularly the Appalachian mountain counties of Garrett and Allegany, carries the highest risk due to rural land use, cabins, and agricultural structures where rodents overwinter. Wooded suburban areas throughout the state have white-footed mice, but exposure risk is much lower without enclosed structure activity.",{"question":154,"answer":155},"Why are people searching hantavirus Maryland in 2026?","The increased searches reflect national concern following coverage of the Hondius cruise ship outbreak and the 2025 death linked to hantavirus in New Mexico. There is no new Maryland hantavirus outbreak. The state's risk profile is unchanged.","\u002Fimages\u002Fhantavirus\u002Fhantavirus-in-maryland.webp","Maryland map showing western Appalachian counties with higher hantavirus risk compared to lower-risk eastern and suburban regions","2026-05-19",{},"Maryland has had a small number of confirmed hantavirus cases, concentrated in rural western areas. Eastern and suburban MD risk is low. Here's the state-specific picture.","Hantavirus in Maryland: Is There Risk? | RodentHealthRisk.com",true,"\u002Fhantavirus\u002Fhantavirus-in-maryland",[165,168,171],{"slug":166,"title":167},"hantavirus\u002Fhantavirus-cases-by-state","Hantavirus Cases by State",{"slug":169,"title":170},"hantavirus\u002Fhantavirus-in-new-york","Hantavirus in New York",{"slug":172,"title":173},"guides\u002Fhow-to-clean-mouse-droppings-safely","How to Clean Mouse Droppings Safely","low",{"title":5,"description":144},[177,178,179],"CDC","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cdc.gov\u002Fhantavirus\u002Fphp\u002Fsurveillance\u002Findex.html","https:\u002F\u002Fhealth.maryland.gov\u002Fphpa\u002Fpages\u002Fhantavirus-pulmonary-syndrome.aspx","hantavirus\u002Fhantavirus-in-maryland","by-location","5FxueMBgN3I1TYr3QpEVXq2CQ70IOWMVoRIZCk4BSA0",1779612265768]