It does not commonly invade homes, but
in rare instances one or more deer mice may invade a particular
building. The deer mouse is a medically important species
because it carries the hantavirus. This virus can result
in serious, often fatal, respiratory disease in humans.
The hantavirus can be contracted in a number of ways: by
handling dead, infected deer mouse carcasses; by breathing
in mouse-urine-laden dust particles that contain the virus;
or by inhaling dust from areas of accumulated deer mouse
droppings. You should avoid any area where infected deer
mice have frequented unless wearing proper protective gear.
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Rodents
