GUIDELINES FOR WORKING WITH RODENTS POTENTIALLY INFECTED WITH HANTAVIRUS

Because of the high morbidity and mortality associated with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and the possibility of aerosol transmission of han taviruses, persons handling known reservoir species in the field, labo ratory, or classroom should take special precautions to minimize the r isk of infection. We provide specific guidelines for personal safety w hile trapping, handling and releasing, transporting, sampling, and per forming necropsy on potentially infected rodents or teaching field cla sses in areas occupied by reservoir species. Special consideration sho uld be given to respiratory protection, choice and use of disinfectant s, decontamination of instruments and traps, proper disposal of infect ious wastes, and preservation and shipment of samples intended for han tavirus testing. Precautionary testing of wild rodents used to start l aboratory colonies is recommended. Although we specifically address ha ntaviruses, the procedures described are applicable for any study of p opulations of small mammals when an infectious zoonotic agent transmis sible by aerosol and capable of causing high morbidity and mortality i s involved.