What Is Hantavirus? How Pest Control Protects North Carolina Families
Hantavirus has been blowing up in the news recently. A cruise ship with an outbreak of hantavirus has put everyone on edge, and it can be hard to determine what’s media scare tactics and what’s true.
We’re here to dispel the fear.
As pest control experts in North Carolina, we’re familiar with hantavirus and the other diseases rodents commonly spread. Our team regularly offers rodent-borne illness prevention through rodent control that works long-term. So today, we’ll answer what hantavirus in North Carolina is, what the risk is, and how you can prevent it.
What Is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is the name for a family of viruses that are typically caused by rodents. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is the most common version of this virus in the Americas, causing respiratory issues that can quickly become serious if left untreated or without early intervention.
Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) is another form of hantavirus, more common in Asia and Europe. This version can cause stomach and kidney issues, which can become more serious as the virus progresses.
When we’re discussing hantavirus in North Carolina, we are referring to HPS rather than HFRS.
Hantavirus Symptoms
Hantaviruses often mimic other common illnesses, such as the flu, COVID, or even a common cold. However, if you start experiencing symptoms, especially after being in contact with or in close proximity to a rodent, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to rule out the possibility of hantavirus.
The common hantavirus symptoms in North Carolina include:
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Stomach pain and issues
- Cough that worsens
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
In most cases with HPS, fever and headaches are often the first symptoms, and the cough and breathing issues develop later. Early intervention is critical for HPS, so make sure to be aware of any of these symptoms if you’re dealing with a rodent infestation.
Is Hantavirus a Risk for North Carolina Residents?
With everything you may have seen about hantaviruses in the news recently, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and even scared about what you’re hearing. We’re here to reassure you that hantavirus is a relatively low risk for North Carolina residents.
While there is a small chance of contracting hantavirus if you’re dealing with a rodent infestation or have travelled recently, there have only been 890 cases in the United States from 1993 to 2023, with only one of those cases being in North Carolina.
As of May 12, 2026, the CDC is not concerned about an increased risk of hantaviruses spreading, even with current events. They are monitoring the situation involving the cruise ship, and any American citizens who were onboard are being cared for and quarantined in a secure medical facility in Nebraska. The risk remains low across the United States, and North Carolina families don’t need to fear the spread of this virus in our state.
Hantavirus Prevention in North Carolina
While the risk is low, it’s still important to take steps to prevent hantavirus in your home, especially since the main spreaders of hantavirus (rodents) can carry other diseases that are more common.
And unless you’re travelling to remote regions of the world, the best way to avoid hantaviruses is to prevent rodents from entering or nesting in or around your home. You can do this in a few easy ways:
- Seal away food and trash in your home
- Repair cracks, holes, and other openings in your home’s roof, foundation, crawlspace, windows, and doors
- Keep up with yard care to get rid of common nesting materials like sticks and leaves
- Repair water leaks and remove water sources in your yard
- Clean your home regularly, especially in dark, quiet areas that are common for nesting
- Seal and protect your crawl space
- Invest in professional recurring pest control to keep pests and rodents out of your home long term
If you’re already facing a rodent infestation, you’ll want to call a professional pest control company immediately to remove them. It’s important not to vacuum rodent droppings or urine, as this is the most common way the hantavirus can become “air-borne.” Instead, have a professional cleaner with experience with rodent issues repair and clean your home.
Protect Your Family with Year-Round Rodent Control
At Clint Miller Exterminating, we help families gain peace of mind with a pest-free home. From one-time emergency treatments to recurring pest control, our team keeps bugs and rodents out of your home—along with the diseases they bring with them. Our North Carolina rodent control services target nests at the source, getting rid of the rodents for good and ensuring your family is safe from the damage they can cause.
The first step to protection is a thorough home inspection. Get in contact with our team to schedule your visit to make sure no uninvited guests are hiding in your home!
