03/18/2026
Public Statement from Plumas County Public Health Agency:
As the weather gets warmer and people begin spring cleaning in sheds, barns, and cabins that have been closed for months, it is important to know about the risk of hantavirus.
Hantavirus is a serious virus that can make people very sick. It spreads to humans mostly through contact with infected rodents (mice) or their droppings. People can get sick by breathing in air that has tiny particles from the droppings of deer mice. These mice often nest in closed spaces during the winter.
Sheds, cabins, and camp trailers can sometimes have deer mice and the hantavirus they carry.
Symptoms of hantavirus infection may include fever, muscle aches, tiredness, and trouble breathing. In serious cases, it can lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe lung illness that can be life-threatening.
If you find rodent nests or droppings, follow these steps to clean the area safely:
• Air out the area for a couple of hours before cleaning.
• Wear gloves and a mask while cleaning. Do not sweep or vacuum the area, because this will stir up contaminated dropping into the air.
• Spray droppings or nests until they are wet using a 10% bleach solution (1 cup bleach in 1 gallon of water).
• Use paper towels to wipe up the droppings. Put the used towels in a garbage bag and tie it shut before throwing it away.
Buildings and cabins closed for the winter or long periods can be home to mice and other rodents. Deer mice can be infected with hantavirus, a potentially deadly virus that can spread to people through the air in closed spaces.
*Spray urine and droppings with bleach solution
*Wear rubber gloves
*Mop or sponge the area with a disinfectant. Clean all hard surfaces including floors, countertops, cabinets, and drawers.
More info: https://ow.ly/tpqG50YoSF1
