Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause serious disease in people, including Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). People become infected through direct contact with infected rodents, rodent droppings, nests or by inhaling virus particles from rodent urine, droppings or saliva that have dried and become airborne. Symptoms are similar to the flu at first and can include fever, muscle aches, headaches, chills, and gastrointestinal signs like vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. After the initial phase, additional severe respiratory symptoms can develop, including coughing, difficulty breathing, and shortness of breath. Patients with Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome need to be hospitalized for respiratory and/or blood pressure support. Hantavirus has not been reported in New Jersey.

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