The Invisible Killer in Your Home: Why Hantavirus Makes Professional Mouse Control a Life-or-Death Decision in 2025
As we navigate through 2025, a silent threat lurks in homes across America—one that transforms a simple mouse problem into a potentially fatal health crisis. There have been two confirmed cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in New Mexico in 2025 in Santa Fe County. There were six confirmed cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in New Mexico in 2024. Meanwhile, health officials in Arizona are reporting an increase in Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), or hantavirus infections this year. Since the beginning of the year, Arizona has reported seven cases (Apache-4, Coconino-2 and Navajo-1), including three fatalities.
The Growing Hantavirus Crisis
Hantavirus isn’t just another health concern—it’s a deadly pathogen with alarming statistics. HPS is a severe and potentially deadly disease that affects the lungs. Thirty-eight percent of people who develop respiratory symptoms may die from the disease. Even more concerning, up to 40% of all cases are fatal. As of the end of 2022, 864 cases of hantavirus disease were reported in the United States since surveillance began in 1993.
What makes this threat particularly insidious is how it spreads. The most common hantavirus that causes HPS in the U.S. is spread by the deer mouse. In most cases, people get HPS after inhaling particles from infected mouse poop. The virus becomes airborne when the virus, which is found in rodent urine, saliva, and feces (poop), can be easily released in the air in confined spaces when disturbed by rodents or human activities, such as sweeping or vacuuming.
Why 2025 Demands Professional Intervention
The landscape of hantavirus risk has evolved dramatically. Experts note concerning changes in rodent behavior and distribution patterns. “For whatever reason, it appears that the range of the deer mouse is moving to include lower elevations,” he said. “Over the past two decades, most exposures to the virus have been in very rural areas. Now we are starting to see potentially more people at risk perhaps due to changing geographical distribution of the deer mouse.”
Climate change may be contributing to increased risk. Experts speculate climate change, such as the extreme heat waves that are sweeping across the county, may be partly to blame. Dr. Camilo Mora, professor in the department of geography and environment at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, says people aren’t the only ones who seek shelter when it gets really wet or hot outside. Other species also look for respite from the unkind weather — specifically mammals that carry pathogens.
The stakes are particularly high for homeowners attempting DIY solutions. half of all infections stem from exposure to the virus around your home. Professional intervention becomes critical because working in a field that increases exposure to rodents, such as construction, utility work, pest control and farming requires specialized knowledge and equipment.
The Professional Advantage
Professional mice pest control services understand the complex nature of hantavirus prevention. Rodent control is the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a disease caused by infection with certain hantaviruses. Wild rodents near human populations should be controlled and excluded from homes.
The challenge lies in proper execution. People who handle and clean up after rodents, such as pest exterminators and animal caretakers, are at higher risk of hantavirus exposure and should take precautions. People who work with live rodents or have rodents as pets can be exposed to hantaviruses through rodent bites or from touching the saliva, urine, droppings, or contaminated bedding from infected animals.
Health authorities emphasize the importance of professional expertise. If rodents are in the home, consult an exterminator or your local health department for additional information on rodent removal and control. This recommendation isn’t casual advice—it’s a health imperative based on the understanding that exposure to poorly ventilated areas with active rodent infestations in households, is the strongest risk factor for infection.
Prestige Pest Unit: Your Shield Against Hantavirus
Located in Franklin, New Jersey, and serving Sussex County, Prestige Pest Unit & House Wash represents the gold standard in professional rodent control. Here at Prestige Pest Unit & House Wash, we do our best to show up on time, treat your home with respect, and get rid of your pest or rodent problem right the first time around. Their commitment extends beyond mere pest elimination—they prioritize safety and environmental consciousness.
We use environmentally conscious methods and effective tools to address pest problems without compromising your family’s safety. When you work with us, you’re choosing a local team that values your home as much as you do. This approach is crucial when dealing with hantavirus-carrying rodents, where improper handling can literally mean the difference between life and death.
The company’s comprehensive approach includes assessment: We start by inspecting your home to identify the type and extent of the infestation. Treatment: Using proven methods, we target the pests causing trouble, whether they’re termites, fleas, or more. Prevention: After treatment, we offer tips and services to keep pests from coming back.
The Time-Sensitive Nature of Hantavirus Risk
Understanding the timeline of hantavirus infection underscores why immediate professional intervention is crucial. Symptoms of HPS usually start to show 1 to 8 weeks after contact with an infected rodent. However, early symptoms such as fever, headache muscle aches, nausea, and fatigue are easily confused with influenza. If you suspect hantavirus disease, see a physician immediately and mention a potential rodent exposure.
The progression can be rapid and deadly. The signs and symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can worsen suddenly and may quickly become life-threatening. If you have flu-like symptoms that progressively worsen over a few days, see your health care provider. Get immediate medical care if you have trouble breathing.
Prevention: Your Best Defense
The CDC’s guidance is clear: the best protection against hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is to avoid contact with rodents and safely clean up rodent habitats. This involves more than setting a few traps. Professional services understand that mice can squeeze through holes as small as 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) wide. Seal holes with wire screening, steel wool, metal flashing or cement.
The complexity of proper rodent control extends to cleanup procedures. When cleaning up after rodents, special steps should be taken to avoid exposure. Professionals have the training and equipment necessary to handle contaminated materials safely, preventing the aerosolization of virus particles that occurs during improper cleanup.
The Cost of Inaction
In 2025, with hantavirus cases appearing in unexpected locations and circumstances, the cost of DIY rodent control can be measured in human lives. Mono County reported three fatal cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), including the death of a 26-year-old hotel employee. Health officials noted that none of the victims had engaged in typical high-risk activities, suggesting possible exposure during routine daily activities. Rodent droppings were found at the victims’ workplaces, prompting concerns about increased indoor rodent activity in Mammoth Lakes.
Professional mouse control isn’t just about pest management—it’s about protecting your family from a pathogen that has no cure and kills nearly four out of ten people it infects. As hantavirus continues to emerge in new areas and circumstances, the expertise, equipment, and protocols that professional services provide become not just valuable, but essential for survival.
Don’t gamble with your family’s health. When rodents invade your space, they bring with them the potential for a medical emergency that modern medicine cannot cure. Choose professional intervention—choose life.