Can Trigger Hantavirus, WHO Warns Not to Clean Rat Feces Irresponsibly

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) shares some important steps to prevent hantavirus. As is known, hantavirus is a global concern with its outbreak increasing in relation to the MV Hondius cruise ship.

One of the steps most emphasized by the WHO to prevent hantavirus is not to clean rat droppings carelessly, because it can trigger the spread of the virus into the air.

Quoted from Mirror, Friday, May 22, 2026, the virus generally spreads through urine, saliva, or feces of infected rats. In some cases, the virus can also be transmitted when a person cleans a closed area contaminated with particles from rodent feces.

Therefore, it is recommended not to clean rat droppings carelessly, because it can cause unwanted contamination.

The steps recommended by WHO to help prevent the spread of hantavirus are as follows.

- Keeping the house and workplace clean- Closing the gaps that allow rats to enter the building- Storing food safely- Cleaning rat-contaminated areas in a safe way- Avoiding sweeping or using a vacuum cleaner on dry rat droppings- Moisten the contaminated area before cleaning- Strengthening the habit of washing hands

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also warned that virus particles can spread into the air when urine or dried rat feces are disturbed.

Thus, the CDC advises people not to clean rat droppings by wiping them directly, as this can increase the risk of inhaling virus particles.

Meanwhile, earlier the WHO said that the risk of public health due to the hantavirus related to the MV Hondius ship was still low, although strict monitoring was still being carried out.

"Although this is a serious incident, WHO assesses that the public health risk is still low," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Prevention actions must also be carried out, even though the risk is still low. This is because hantavirus can cause serious diseases in the lungs, kidneys, and other vital organs of the body that can increase mortality.