Hantavirus death reported in Whitman County
County resident was exposed to rodents before dying of illness, which kills one to five people in Washington per year
The first reported hantavirus death of the year in the state of Washington was in Whitman County.
Whitman County Public Health announced in a news release Friday that a county resident who had known local exposure to rodents died from hantavirus. The organization received a positive lab result Sunday.
Washington has between one to five confirmed hantavirus cases on average annually. This is the first confirmed case in Whitman County and the state in 2025.
Hantavirus is a rare but serious lung disease found in urine, droppings and saliva of infected rodents. Deer mice are carriers of the virus in Washington and usually do not show any signs of being ill while infected, according to Whitman County’s news release.
The disease can be transmitted by breathing in dust from fresh urine, droppings or nests of infected rodents. The risk is highest in closed-up areas like sheds, cabins or cars where rodents live.
People can also get sick by touching surfaces with the virus and rubbing their nose or mouth. The virus doesn’t spread from person to person.
Hantavirus symptoms begin one to eight weeks after exposure and include fever, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Late symptoms may show up as a cough, shortness of breath or tightness of the chest because of fluid filling the lungs.
Prevent hantavirus by sealing holes mice can enter, placing traps to catch rodents and regularly inspecting closed off spaces for droppings or signs of life.
The health department also suggests ventilating a space for at least 30 minutes, spraying possibly infected areas with a 10% bleach solution or virus-killing disinfectant and waiting at least five minutes before cleaning an area exposed to rodents.
Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com
