Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a severe respiratory disease transmitted to humans primarily by rodents. People contract the virus by inhaling airborne particles from the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents. Understanding how the virus persists outside its host, particularly on surfaces like clothing, aids prevention.
Hantavirus Survival on Surfaces
Hantavirus is a fragile virus that does not survive long in the environment outside a rodent host. Its infectious period varies with environmental conditions. On non-living surfaces, including porous materials like clothing, the virus has limited viability. Studies indicate hantaviruses can remain infectious for a few hours to several days at normal room temperature. However, on surfaces exposed to air and light, such as clothes, survival time is significantly shorter, often losing viability within 24 hours when dried at room temperature.
The virus’s lipid envelope makes it susceptible to degradation from environmental factors. Clothes, especially when exposed to sunlight and air, are not a high-risk vector for long-term viral persistence.
Factors Affecting Virus Survival
Environmental conditions impact how long hantavirus remains infectious outside a host. Ultraviolet (UV) light, from direct sunlight, rapidly inactivates the virus by damaging its genetic material and lipid membrane. High temperatures also contribute to viral inactivation; temperatures around 45 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) can render hantaviruses non-infectious. Low humidity and dry conditions further reduce the virus’s survival time.
Conversely, cooler, damp, and dark environments, like undisturbed rodent nests or cluttered areas, allow the virus to persist for longer periods, up to a few days. Common household disinfectants, including solutions of bleach and water or 70% ethanol, effectively deactivate the virus. The virus is highly susceptible to inactivation by cleaning agents.
Safe Handling of Potentially Contaminated Items
When dealing with items that might have come into contact with rodent droppings or urine, caution is advised. Avoid disturbing dust, as this can aerosolize viral particles. Instead, wet down contaminated areas and materials before handling.
For clothing or other washable items, use rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves during handling. Wash these items in a washing machine using hot water and regular laundry detergent. Laundry detergent effectively breaks down the virus’s lipid envelope, rendering it harmless. Machine drying on a high heat setting or air drying in direct sunlight further ensures inactivation. Items that cannot be washed, such as books or delicate materials, can be left outdoors in sunlight for several hours or in an indoor area free of rodents for approximately one week to allow the virus to become non-infectious before wiping them down with a moistened cloth and disinfectant.
General Hantavirus Prevention
Preventing hantavirus exposure primarily involves minimizing contact with rodents and their waste. Rodent control in and around homes is a strategy for prevention. This includes sealing entry points in buildings, as mice can fit through small openings. Removing food sources and nesting materials, such as keeping food in rodent-proof containers and clearing brush away from foundations, helps deter rodents.
When cleaning areas with rodent activity, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves and a well-fitted N95 respirator to prevent inhalation of airborne viral particles. Ventilate the area by opening windows and doors for at least 30 minutes before beginning cleanup to allow fresh air to circulate. Always wet down urine, droppings, and nesting materials with a household disinfectant or bleach solution before wiping them up, rather than sweeping or vacuuming, to prevent aerosolization of the virus.