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Encyclopedia of Common Pathogens

Pathogen Profile

Hantavirus

RNA Virus Zoonotic
View Products With Claim EPA EVP Policy
Classification
FamilyHantaviridae
GenusOrthohantavirus
TypeEnveloped ssRNA (−)
HostRodents (deer mice, rats)
DiseasesHPS, HFRS
ReportableYes — CDC notifiable
EPA Policy — Active

The EPA Has Activated Its Emerging Viral Pathogens Policy for Hantavirus

Under the EPA's Emerging Viral Pathogens (EVP) policy, certain EPA-registered disinfectants may be used against emerging viral threats — including hantavirus — based on demonstrated efficacy against harder-to-kill viruses. Quip Laboratories has eight products with EPA registrations that qualify under this policy. Select a product below to view details.

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Overview

Hantaviruses are a family of enveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses carried asymptomatically by rodents — most notably the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) in North America. Infection occurs primarily by inhaling aerosolized particles from infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. The virus does not spread person-to-person in most strains.

Two distinct syndromes result from hantavirus infection: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), prevalent in the Americas, and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), more common in Asia and Europe. HPS is rare — fewer than 850 cases have been confirmed in the U.S. since 1993 — but carries a case fatality rate of approximately 36%, making environmental decontamination a critical biosafety priority in any affected facility.

~36%Case fatality rate for HPS (United States)
850+HPS cases reported in the US since 1993
1–8 wkIncubation period after exposure
>40Known hantavirus species worldwide
Important: Hantavirus is a CDC-reportable disease. Facilities with confirmed or suspected rodent infestations should consult with biosafety officers before beginning cleanup and decontamination procedures.
Transmission

Unlike many respiratory pathogens, hantavirus does not spread from human to human in North America (with the exception of the Andes strain in South America). Transmission is almost exclusively zoonotic, with rodents serving as the reservoir host. The most common exposure scenario is disturbing dry rodent droppings in an enclosed space without proper respiratory protection.

Hantavirus can survive on indoor surfaces for several days to weeks — more stable in cool, humid environments and rapidly inactivated by UV light, heat, and desiccation. Surface saturation with disinfectant before any cleanup activity is essential, not optional.

Aerosolized rodent excreta Rodent urine / droppings Contaminated nesting material Direct contact (broken skin) Rodent bites (rare)
For research and vivarium facilities: Any facility with a history of rodent intrusion should treat surface decontamination as a biosafety priority before initiating cleanup. Applying an EPA-registered disinfectant prior to disturbing dry excreta substantially reduces aerosolization risk.
Symptoms — Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

HPS progresses through two distinct phases. The early phase mimics many common illnesses, making initial diagnosis challenging.

Early phase (3–5 days):

  • Fever and chills
  • Severe muscle aches
  • Fatigue and malaise
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain

Late phase (4–10 days after onset): Rapid onset of coughing and shortness of breath as the lungs fill with fluid. This phase can progress to respiratory failure within hours and requires immediate hospitalization.

Note: There is no specific antiviral treatment for HPS. Management is supportive. Early recognition and intensive care are critical to survival.
Symptoms — Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)

HFRS, caused primarily by Old World hantaviruses (Hantaan, Seoul, Puumala viruses), progresses through five clinical phases: febrile, hypotensive, oliguric, diuretic, and convalescent. Key symptoms include:

  • High fever (sudden onset) and headache
  • Lower back pain and abdominal pain
  • Blurred vision and facial flushing
  • Petechiae (small hemorrhagic spots)
  • Kidney dysfunction / acute renal failure
  • Hypotension and shock in severe cases
Disinfection & Environmental Decontamination

Hantavirus is an enveloped RNA virus, making it susceptible to a broad range of EPA-registered disinfectants when applied correctly. The primary risk during cleanup is aerosolization of dried excreta — surface saturation before any physical disturbance is essential.

Quip Laboratories offers EPA-registered options across multiple chemistry types, all carrying the EPA Emerging Viral Pathogens designation. See the product selector below. Always follow label directions for contact time and dilution rate.

CDC-recommended protocol for rodent-contaminated areas:

  • Never dry-sweep or vacuum rodent droppings — always wet surfaces first
  • Liberally apply an EPA-registered disinfectant to all contaminated surfaces
  • Allow appropriate contact time before wiping
  • Wear gloves, respiratory protection (N95 minimum), and eye protection during cleanup
  • Double-bag all materials and dispose as contaminated waste

Quip Labs Products Recommended for Hantavirus

All products below are EPA-registered and either carry a direct hantavirus claim or qualify under the EPA Emerging Viral Pathogens (EVP) designation. Select a product to view details.

EPA Emerging Viral Pathogens designation active. All products on this list qualify under the EPA EVP policy for use against emerging viral threats.
EPA EVP Designation

Anlage 7.5

CIP Disinfectant for Sprayers & Pressure Washers
Chemistry Quaternary Ammonium
EPA Reg. No. 6836-70-46269
Application Methods Pressure washers · Pump-up sprayers · CIP
Product ID AN075
Key Characteristics Disinfectant, sanitizer, fungicide, virucide & deodorizer · Versatile for food processing and animal care facilities · Variable dilution rates by application
EPA Reg. No. 6836-70-46269 View Full Product Page
EPA EVP Designation

Anlage QTB

Ready-to-Use Research Disinfectant Spray
Chemistry Quaternary Ammonium
EPA Reg. No. 1839-83-46269
Application Methods Ready to use — spray application, no dilution
Product ID ANQTB
Key Characteristics TB claim · Fungicide & mildewstat · 2-year shelf life · Maintains efficacy in hard water and organic soils · Safe on metals, wood, and plastic
EPA Reg. No. 1839-83-46269 View Full Product Page
EPA EVP Designation

CleanCide

Citric Acid Disinfectant Wipes
Chemistry Citric Acid
EPA Reg. No. 34810-36
Application Methods Pre-saturated wipe — one-step, no-rinse disinfection
Product ID CLNCD-CASE
Key Characteristics 100% plant-based substrate · Compostable · No PPE required · EPA Designed for the Environment (DfE) · No added dyes or fragrances
EPA Reg. No. 34810-36 View Full Product Page
EPA EVP Designation

HaloMist

RTU Surface & Fogging Disinfectant
Chemistry Hydrogen PeroxideSilver
Format Ready to use — no dilution required
Application Methods Surface spray · Fogging via Halo Disinfection System™
Key Characteristics Broad-spectrum efficacy on pre-cleaned surfaces · Specifically formulated for the Halo Disinfection System™ · RTU — no mixing or dilution required
View Full Product Page
EPA EVP Designation

Hexagiene

RTU Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfectant
Chemistry Hydrogen Peroxide
Format Ready to use — no dilution required
Application Methods Spray or wipe application on pre-cleaned hard surfaces
Key Characteristics 1-minute kill claims on key research pathogens · Excellent material compatibility · No dilution required · Designed for research facility use
View Full Product Page
EPA EVP Designation

MB-10 Tablets

Pure Chlorine Dioxide — Tablet Format
Chemistry Chlorine Dioxide
EPA Reg. No. 70060-19-46269
Application Methods Spray · Wipe · Dip · Mop
Product ID MBTAB
Key Characteristics Tablet form — easy to store and ship · Consistent solution strength · Available at 25, 100, or 200 PPM for disinfection, or 1000 PPM for full sterilant use · Slightly acidic in solution
EPA Reg. No. 70060-19-46269 View Full Product Page
EPA EVP Designation

Sani-Plex 128M

Laboratory & Veterinary Disinfectant
Chemistry Quaternary Ammonium
EPA Reg. No. 10324-155-46269
Application Methods Spray bottle · Hose-end foamer · Mop
Dilution 1.0 oz per gallon
Product ID SP128M
Key Characteristics No added dyes or fragrances · Neutral pH when diluted · Non-volatile · One-step cleaner/disinfectant · Stable when diluted
EPA Reg. No. 10324-155-46269 View Full Product Page
EPA EVP Designation

Vimoba Tablets

Pure Chlorine Dioxide — Buffered Tablet Format
Chemistry Chlorine Dioxide
EPA Reg. No. 70060-19-46269
Application Methods Spray · Wipe · Dip · Mop
Product ID VIMTAB
Key Characteristics Identical to MB-10 Tablets in efficacy and application — with the addition of a buffering agent that makes Vimoba slightly more compatible with soft metals. Tablet form · Consistent solution strength · Available at 25, 100, or 200 PPM for disinfection, or 1000 PPM for full sterilant use
EPA Reg. No. 70060-19-46269 View Full Product Page
EPA EVP Designation

Wex-Cide 128

TB Research Disinfectant
Chemistry Phenolic
Format Concentrate — dilute per label
Application Methods Hard non-porous surfaces · Cages, pens, runs & common areas · Particularly suited to NHP facilities
Key Characteristics One-step phenolic cleaner, disinfectant & deodorizer · TB claim · Broad-spectrum efficacy · Recommended for NHP research environments
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Frequently Asked Questions

Early symptoms (3–5 days) include fever, chills, severe muscle aches, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. These are followed by a rapidly progressing respiratory phase — coughing, shortness of breath, and fluid accumulation in the lungs — which can advance to respiratory failure within hours. HPS carries a case fatality rate of approximately 36% in the United States.
Hantavirus symptoms can be extremely severe and life-threatening. HPS has a case fatality rate of approximately 36% in the United States. The late respiratory phase can escalate from mild breathlessness to full respiratory failure within hours. There is no specific antiviral treatment — management is supportive and often requires intensive care.
In North America, hantavirus does not spread human to human. The Sin Nombre virus strain responsible for most U.S. HPS cases is transmitted only through contact with infected rodent excreta or by inhaling aerosolized particles from those materials. The Andes virus strain in South America is the one known exception, with documented — but rare — person-to-person transmission.
There is no specific FDA-approved antiviral treatment for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Treatment is supportive: hospitalization, oxygen therapy, and in severe cases mechanical ventilation. Ribavirin has been used in some HFRS cases with limited evidence. Early recognition and access to intensive care are the most important factors in improving survival outcomes.
Hantavirus is contracted primarily by inhaling aerosolized particles from infected rodent urine, droppings, or nesting material. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with contaminated materials via broken skin, or rarely through rodent bites. The most common high-risk scenario involves disturbing dry rodent droppings in enclosed spaces — such as during facility cleaning or renovation — without respiratory protection.
Hantavirus can survive on indoor surfaces for several days to weeks. The virus is more stable in cool, humid, sheltered environments and is rapidly inactivated by UV light, heat, and drying. In enclosed spaces protected from sunlight, the virus may remain viable long enough to pose an inhalation risk during cleaning. Saturating surfaces with an EPA-registered disinfectant before disturbing them is essential.
The incubation period is typically 1 to 8 weeks after exposure, with most people developing symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks. Because early symptoms — fever, muscle aches, fatigue — resemble many other illnesses, hantavirus is often not diagnosed until the respiratory phase begins, by which point the disease has already progressed significantly.
As an enveloped RNA virus, hantavirus is susceptible to EPA-registered quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorine dioxide products, hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants, phenolic disinfectants, and citric acid-based disinfectants. Quip Laboratories products including Anlage 7.5, Anlage QTB, CleanCide, HaloMist, Hexagiene, MB-10 Tablets, Sani-Plex 128M, and Wex-Cide 128 all carry the EPA Emerging Viral Pathogens designation. The critical step is saturating contaminated surfaces with disinfectant before any physical disturbance. Always follow product label instructions for contact time and dilution.
Hantavirus outbreaks are uncommon. Fewer than 850 HPS cases have been confirmed in the U.S. since the disease was first identified in 1993. Sporadic clusters occur periodically, typically linked to environmental conditions that increase local rodent populations. Because HPS is rare but carries significant mortality risk, every confirmed case is reportable to the CDC.
Current scientific consensus considers a hantavirus pandemic highly unlikely. Most hantavirus strains — including Sin Nombre virus — do not spread person-to-person. Without efficient human-to-human transmission, large-scale outbreak potential is limited. The Andes virus in South America is the only known strain with documented person-to-person spread, and those cases remain rare and localized.

Full Product Finder — Hantavirus

Use the filter below to search all EPA-registered disinfectants with this claim by product type, application method, or chemistry. Not sure which product fits your facility? Call us at (800) 424-2436.