Hantavirus Risk Assessment and Home Protection Measures for Texas Residents

This advisory addresses hantavirus preparedness for Texas residents following concerns about a potential outbreak linked to a cruise ship. The CDC confirms hantavirus remains very rare in Texas and the broader United States, with fewer than 900 cases reported nationally over two decades and approximately 40 confirmed Texas cases since the 1990s. Health experts emphasize that the primary exposure risk comes from contact with infected rodents or contaminated environments, particularly during cleaning of enclosed spaces with rodent droppings. Transmission is not person-to-person and does not spread as rapidly as respiratory viruses. Residents should avoid sweeping or vacuuming potentially contaminated areas; instead, they should wear protective gear and apply disinfectants. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, nausea, headaches, and muscle aches—similar to influenza—and warrant immediate medical evaluation if exposure is suspected.