FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County has seen an increase in hantavirus activity. Three hantavirus cases have been reported in the past 15 months, two of which have died (67% mortality rate). Previously, Coconino County’s last reported hantavirus case occurred in 2016.

Arizona has also been experiencing an increase in hantavirus activity. From January 1 to July 1, 2024, seven human cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) have been confirmed, resulting in three deaths in Arizona.

HPS is a severe and sometimes fatal respiratory illness caused by the infection with hantaviruses. Hantavirus is spread from rodents, primarily the deer mouse in Arizona, to people through airborne transmission from viral droplets spread through handling or stirring up materials contaminated with rodent urine, saliva, or feces. Hantavirus is not spread person-to-person.

HPS is not limited to one geographic location. It can be present in many areas in the southwestern region of the United States where there is rodent activity, even if mice are never seen.

Symptoms of the illness can be fever, headache, and muscle aches progressing rapidly to severe difficulty in breathing and, in some cases, death.

To prevent HPS, public health officials recommend the following clean-up methods for areas that may have rodent activity:

• Prior to starting cleanup, open all doors and windows, especially in areas that have been closed for an extended period such as a garage, storage shed or second homes that are not used year-round. Leave open for 30 minutes before cleaning and if possible, allow direct sunlight on the area.
• Do not stir up dust in the infested area by vacuuming, sweeping, or any other means. This will allow virus particles to go into the air, where they can be breathed in, and potentially causing infection.
• When rodent droppings or nests are found in and around the home, spray them liberally with a household disinfectant (such as one-part bleach to nine parts water) and allow them to soak for at least 15 minutes. Any rodent droppings and rodent nests should be sprayed with a pesticide to kill fleas before disinfecting or disposing the carcasses.
• After disinfecting, wear rubber gloves and clean up the droppings with disposable materials such as paper towels, rags, or disposable mop heads.
• Seal all materials, droppings or nests in double plastic bags and dispose of them in the trash.

Rodent-proof your home:

• Prevent rodents from entering the home by plugging or sealing all holes and gaps to the outside greater than 1/4-inch in diameter. Use steel wool, thick wire screen, metal flashing or cement to seal holes.
• Eliminate or reduce rodent shelter around the home by removing outdoor junk and clutter, and by moving woodpiles, lumber, hay bales etc., as far away from the house as possible.
• Do not make food easily available to rodents. Do not leave pet food in dishes and dispose of garbage in trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
• Prevent mice infestation inside your home with the use of traps and proper removal.

More information regarding HPS is available at www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/hps.