05/07/2026
This is horrible news for the folks trapped in this cruise ship.
Hantaviruses is spread by being exposed to rodents, their urine, droppings and can cause serious illness that affects your lungs and kidneys.
If you must clean up urine or droppings, please follow these steps recommended by the CDC:
Step 1: Put on rubber or plastic gloves.
Step 2: Spray urine and droppings with bleach solution or an EPA-registered disinfectant until very wet. Let it soak for 5 minutes or according to instructions on the disinfectant label.
Step 3: Use paper towels to wipe up the urine or droppings and cleaning product.
Step 4: Throw the paper towels in a covered garbage can that is regularly emptied.
Step 5: Mop or sponge the area with a disinfectant. Clean all hard surfaces including floors, countertops, cabinets, and drawers. Follow instructions below to clean and disinfect other types of surfaces.
Step 6: Wash gloved hands with soap and water or a disinfectant before removing gloves.
Step 7: Wash hands with soap and warm water after removing gloves. Use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub when soap is not available, and hands are not visibly soiled.
A 7-step illustration showing how to clean rodent droppings.
Of course the best way to protect yourself. is to prevent rodents. If you have a rodent problem, call our experts to evaluate your home to develop the best solution.
While most hantaviruses spread through contact with rodent f***s, urine or saliva, officials confirm that the type on the cruise ship is Andes hantavirus, which is known to spread between people.
