Hantavirus is usually spread by breathing in or touching the poo, pee or saliva of infected rats, mice or voles. It's rare in the UK.

You’re more likely to get hantavirus if:

• you live or work close to rat or mouse poo and pee
• you handle rats, mice or voles
• you’ve been bitten by a rat, mouse or vole

It can sometimes spread from person to person, but this is rare.

The risk from the type of hantavirus that has recently affected people on the Dutch cruise ship is very low.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA): What you need to know about hantavirus linked to the Dutch cruise ship

Symptoms of hantavirus infection may include:

• high temperature
• body aches and pain
• feeling sick or being sick
• diarrhoea
• tummy pain
• headache
• shortness of breath

See a GP if:

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

Hantavirus symptoms usually get better on their own. But if your symptoms are severe, you may need treatment in hospital.

In hospital, you may have:

• medicines, such as painkillers
• fluids through a vein
• help to breathe using an oxygen mask or ventilator

Find out more

• GOV.UK: Hantaviruses