Choctaw Nation Public Health Advisory: Hantavirus Risk Remains Low in Choctaw Nation

DURANT, Okla. — The Choctaw Nation Department of Public Health (CNPH) is monitoring the ongoing hantavirus outbreak affecting passengers aboard an international cruise ship. At this time, the risk of hantavirus in the Choctaw Nation remains low. CNPH will continue monitoring the situation to help ensure the risk to public health remains minimal.

Hantavirus refers to a family of viruses most commonly spread through exposure to rodents, particularly contact with rodent droppings, saliva, or urine. Deer mice are a common carrier of the virus. Symptoms of hantavirus may include headache, dizziness, chills, fever, body aches, and gastrointestinal issues. These symptoms are also associated with many other viral illnesses and conditions that are more common within the region.

Severe complications may include Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a serious respiratory disease that can affect the lungs and other organ systems. HPS typically develops four to 10 days after the initial onset of symptoms.

Individuals can reduce their risk of hantavirus exposure by preventing rodents from entering their homes, sealing cracks and gaps around windows and doorframes, and properly cleaning areas affected by rodent infestation.

Again, the risk of hantavirus remains low within both the Choctaw Nation Reservation and the United States. Between 1993 and 2023, 890 cases of hantavirus were reported in the United States. As CNPH continues to monitor the outbreak, we will inform the public if any increased risk to Choctaw Nation communities is identified. For more information about hantavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hantavirus information page.