90-Second Read: Researchers highlight hidden spread of Hantavirus in Pacific Northwest rodents

Researchers found nearly 30% of rodents they researched showed evidence of past infection of Hantavirus, and ten percent were actively infected. Fernandez is a researcher at Washington State University's (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine who helped release a study that found Sun Nombre Virus, a type of Hantavirus, may be more widespread in different types of rodents across the Pacific Northwest (PNW). That question comes as a different strain of Hantavirus that can transmit from human-to-human, known as the Andes virus, which made headlines earlier this months.

Example video title will go here for this video Example video title will go here for this video PULLMAN, Wash. While rodent-to-rodent infection is common, human infection remains rare. With that in mind, Spokane County Health Officer Francisco Velasquez doesn't want the general population to worry about getting the Andes virus.

He also advises people who've come into contact with rats, including their feces or urine, to wet those areas down with a solution of bleach, while wearing a mask and long sleeves to limit exposure. The risk is very low, and the risk of the overall risk of general population is extremely low. Still, Velasquez and Fernandez say keeping tabs on what we know is best as more information becomes available.