Which species are identified as carriers of Hantavirus in Michigan?

Which species are identified as carriers of Hantavirus in Michigan?

• A. Deer mouse and white-footed mouse
• B. House mouse and brown rat
• C. Squirrel and chipmunk
• D. Raccoon and opossum

Answer: (A)

Hantavirus is carried by specific rodent hosts, and in Michigan the identified carriers are the deer mouse and the white-footed mouse. These two Peromyscus species shed the virus in saliva, urine, and feces, and human infection usually occurs when dried excreta is disturbed and aerosolized. The house mouse and brown rat are common pests but are not the primary hantavirus reservoirs in Michigan. Squirrels and chipmunks can harbor related hantaviruses elsewhere, but they are not the main identified carriers in this region. Raccoons and opossums are not recognized hantavirus reservoirs here. Thus, deer mouse and white-footed mouse are the correct carriers for Michigan.

Hantavirus is carried by specific rodent hosts, and in Michigan the identified carriers are the deer mouse and the white-footed mouse. These two Peromyscus species shed the virus in saliva, urine, and feces, and human infection usually occurs when dried excreta is disturbed and aerosolized. The house mouse and brown rat are common pests but are not the primary hantavirus reservoirs in Michigan. Squirrels and chipmunks can harbor related hantaviruses elsewhere, but they are not the main identified carriers in this region. Raccoons and opossums are not recognized hantavirus reservoirs here. Thus, deer mouse and white-footed mouse are the correct carriers for Michigan.