90-Second Read: Can I get Hantavirus from my pet? Here's what pet owners should know

The recent headlines about illnesses and deaths tied to possible Hantavirus exposure have left some pet owners wondering whether the virus can be spread through the furry creature sleeping on their couch or curled up on their lap. While cats and dogs can be infected with the Hantavirus, they generally don't have symptoms and experts say they are highly unlikely to infect their owners. Hantavirus remain rare and scattered in the U.S., according to the CDC, with most cases reported in California, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.

Experts say pets rarely spread Hantavirus, but rodents still pose risks. The domestic hamster, guinea pig, gerbil, these are captive bred animals, we have no documentation that they play a role in Hantavirus cases or are part of spreading the disease. Deer mice are the most likely natural hosts for Hantavirus, the CDC notes.

One rare exception is the Andes virus, a strain found mainly in South America that can spread from person to person through close contact and has been linked to the recent cruise ship cases. There have been a lot of questions and concerns amid the Hantavirus outbreak that began on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Even owners of pet rats and mice don't have much to worry about, Elden said.