What’s the risk of hantavirus in King County?

May 8, 2026.Reading time 11 minutes.

Two deer mice with brown fur and white bellies

Hantavirus is in the news with the cruise ship outbreak, but this type of hantavirus is a low risk for people in King County. A public health veterinarian explains why, and also gives advice based on the few cases of hantavirus ever found in the King County.

Backyard Critter Guide: How to avoid diseases from animals

May 13, 2024.Reading time 9 minutes.

The days are warmer which means more time for cleaning your garage or working in the garden. As you clean out that shed, or work on that weeding, be prepared for animals you may encounter at home and in your yard. Here is your local guide to help prevent some of the diseases that are spread between animals and humans.

Rodents, your car, and hantavirus: What to do if you suspect rodents are living in your vehicle

April 21, 2017.Reading time 9 minutes.

Here at the Insider, we’ve been talking to Dr. Meagan Kay, Medical Epidemiologist, about the cluster of hantavirus cases that we’ve had in King County over the last several months. Meagan, what is hantavirus? Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare but sometimes deadly disease that people can get by breathing in hantavirus contained in […]

PUBLIC HEALTH INSIDER

Tag: deer mice

What’s the risk of hantavirus in King County?

Backyard Critter Guide: How to avoid diseases from animals

Rodents, your car, and hantavirus: What to do if you suspect rodents are living in your vehicle