In recent weeks an outbreak of hantavirus aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius has drawn international attention, with the World Health Organization tracking confirmed cases across multiple countries. The WHO has stated that the broader public health risk remains low, but the news has understandably raised questions for many homeowners about hantavirus, where it comes from, and how to protect their families.

This page is intended to give you clear, calm information based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We are a certified biohazard cleanup company — not medical providers — so for any health-related concerns please contact your physician or local health department.

Discovered significant rodent contamination in your home, garage, vacation property, or commercial space? Our certified team can assess the situation and provide a clear plan for safe cleanup.

Call (909) 621-2161 or schedule a consultation through our website.

This page is provided for general information based on current CDC guidance. ProClean Environmental, LLC is a certified biohazard and environmental cleanup company. We are not medical providers and this content is not medical advice. For questions about hantavirus exposure or symptoms, please contact your physician, the CDC at cdc.gov/hantavirus, or your local health department.

• CDC Hantavirus information: http://cdc.gov/hantavirus
• CDC Cleanup Procedures: http://cdc.gov/hantavirus/prevention
• California Department of Public Health: http://cdph.ca.gov
• World Health Organization Hantavirus updates: http://who.int

Hantavirus is the name for a group of viruses carried by certain rodents — most commonly, in North America, the deer mouse. According to the CDC, the virus is shed through rodent urine, droppings, and saliva. Humans typically become exposed when contaminated dust is inhaled — for example, when sweeping or vacuuming droppings without protection.

Most hantavirus illness in the United States is associated with rural and semi-rural areas where deer mice are common — including parts of California. The cruise ship outbreak involves a different strain (Andes virus) found in South America, which is rare and not typical of North American exposure.

For complete medical information about hantavirus, including symptoms and what to do if you believe you may have been exposed, please visit the CDC at cdc.gov/hantavirus or speak with your physician.

Rodents seek shelter, warmth, and food sources — which means homes, garages, sheds, attics, basements, and crawlspaces are common locations where droppings accumulate. Vacation properties, cabins, and seasonal homes left unoccupied are especially common environments where significant contamination can develop unnoticed.

Signs that warrant attention include: visible droppings, urine staining on insulation or stored materials, gnaw marks on wiring or food packaging, nesting material made from shredded paper or fabric, and the distinctive musky odor associated with rodent activity.

The CDC’s central guidance on rodent cleanup is straightforward: do not sweep, vacuum, or dust dry rodent droppings. Doing so aerosolizes particles that can be inhaled. Instead, the CDC recommends ventilating the area, wearing gloves and an N95 respirator, thoroughly wetting the contaminated material with a disinfectant solution, and disposing of it in sealed plastic bags.

For small areas of contamination — a few droppings in a kitchen drawer or pantry — most homeowners can handle the cleanup safely by following CDC procedures carefully. For larger areas, heavily contaminated spaces, or situations where an active infestation is suspected, professional biohazard cleanup is the safer course.

The CDC’s central guidance on rodent cleanup is straightforward: do not sweep, vacuum, or dust dry rodent droppings. Doing so aerosolizes particles that can be inhaled. Instead, the CDC recommends ventilating the area, wearing gloves and an N95 respirator, thoroughly wetting the contaminated material with a disinfectant solution, and disposing of it in sealed plastic bags.

For small areas of contamination — a few droppings in a kitchen drawer or pantry — most homeowners can handle the cleanup safely by following CDC procedures carefully. For larger areas, heavily contaminated spaces, or situations where an active infestation is suspected, professional biohazard cleanup is the safer course.

The following steps reflect current CDC guidance for cleaning small amounts of rodent contamination. For complete details visit cdc.gov/hantavirus/prevention.

Step 1

Ventilate the affected area for at least 30 minutes before entering. Open windows and doors. Leave the area during this time.

Step 2

Wear protective equipment — rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves and an N95 or higher-rated respirator. Long sleeves and eye protection are recommended.

Step 3

Spray droppings, urine, and contaminated surfaces with a disinfectant — either a commercial disinfectant or a freshly prepared bleach solution (one part household bleach to nine parts water). Allow to soak for at least 5 minutes.

Step 4

Use paper towels to wipe up the contamination — never sweep or vacuum. Place all waste in sealed plastic bags.

Step 5

Mop or sponge the entire area with disinfectant. Wash gloves before removal, then wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Step 6

Dispose of bagged waste in outdoor garbage. Launder any contaminated clothing in hot water. Discard the respirator.

While many small cleanups are within homeowner reach, certain situations are better handled by certified biohazard professionals. Consider professional cleanup when:

Our IICRC-certified team handles rodent and biohazard contamination cleanup throughout Southern California. Our process includes site assessment with appropriate PPE, containment of the affected area, professional-grade disinfection following CDC and IICRC protocols, removal and proper disposal of contaminated materials, and final clearance documentation when needed.

Every job is documented, our work is fully insured, and we coordinate with pest control professionals when ongoing infestation control is needed alongside cleanup. ProClean has served Southern California for 21 years.