[HideMe]Rodentborne Diseases
The most important rodentborne diseases in California are those caused by various strains of hantaviruses. Although plague and some other diseases are often associated with rodents, they have arthropod vectors and are usually classified accordingly.
Photo credit Purdue University
[HideMe]Hantaviruses
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease from rodents. Humans can contract the disease when they come into contact with infected rodents or their urine and droppings. HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the United States. Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly. Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection.
Information and photo from US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hantavirus in California 2005
Hantavirus diseases are under active surveillance by the California Department of Health Services. Click here to read the hantavirus section of the 2005 Annual Report of the Vector-Borne Disease Section of CDHS.
Hantavirus in California 2006-2007
2006 Summary:
Four cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome* (HPS) were diagnosed in
California residents in 2006. Three of these were fatalities.
Surveillance for hantavirus in California rodents
In 2006, 2498 rodents were collected and serologically tested for SNV antibody,
representing at least 17 species from 8 genera. At least one seroreactive rodent
was detected in 11 of 14 California counties in which surveillance was conducted in 2006. Of 2274 Peromyscus spp. collected, 224 (9.9 %) had serologic evidence of infection with SNV. Seroprevalence was highest in Peromyscus maniculatus at
15.7 percent.
2007 Activity:
No cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome have been detected in California
residents in 2007 to date.
Two Peromyscus maniculatus and one Reithrodontomys megalotis from Riverside
county have tested positive for SNV antibodies from January through March, 2007.