09/21/2026
PINE RIDGE, SOUTH DAKOTA — 9/16/2026 The Indian Health Service (IHS) is providing an update about recent concerns regarding possible hantavirus exposure in the Pine Ridge community.
Hantavirus is naturally found in some mice in South Dakota, including mice that live in our area. This means hantavirus is an ongoing environmental health risk in our community. Most people who come into contact with mice will not become sick. The main risk comes from breathing in dust or air contaminated by infected mice, their urine, droppings, saliva, or nests. Keep mice out, clean rodent waste safely, and never sweep or vacuum dry droppings or nests.
Recent Public Health Update: As part of the recent public health evaluation, specimens were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmatory testing. CDC confirmatory testing did not identify hantavirus infection.
Because this evaluation involves protected health information, IHS will not provide information about specific patients, households, or locations. There is no confirmed hantavirus infection associated with the recent concern.
Hantavirus is not known to spread from person to person in the United States. There is no need to avoid family members, friends, neighbors, or other community members because of hantavirus.
HOW PEOPLE GET HANTAVIRUS
• People can become infected by breathing in
air contaminated by mouse urine, droppings, saliva, or nests.
• This can happen while cleaning cabins, sheds, garages, campers, storage buildings, or home
where mice have been.
SYMPTOMS OF HANTAVIRUS
• Symptoms may include fever, tiredness, muscle aches, headache, cough, or trouble breathing
• If you have these symptoms after being around mice or mouse droppings, contact a healthcare provider right away.
HOW TO STAY SAFE
• Keep mice out, clean rodent waste safely, and never sweep or vacuum dry droppings or nests.
• Taking simple steps to avoid contact with mice can help keep your family and community safe and healthy.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Use a preferred disinfectant:
• General-purpose household disinfectant labeled “Disinfectant” OR
• Fresh bleach solution: 1.5 cups household bleach in 1 gallon of water (1 part bleach to 9 parts water).
Wear rubber or plastic gloves. Use special precautions when cleaning areas with heavy rodent infestation.
HOW TO CLEAN
Do NOT sweep or vacuum mouse or rat urine, droppings, or nests. This can increase your risk of inhaling the virus:
1. Put on rubber or plastic gloves.
Spray urine and droppings with bleach solution or disinfectant until very wet. Let soak for 5 minutes.
2. Use paper towels to wipe up urine and droppings.
3. Throw paper towels in the garbage.
4. Mop or sponge the area with disinfectant.
AFTER CLEANING
When you are finished cleaning, be sure to:
• Wash gloved hands with soap and water or use a disinfectant on the gloves before removing them.
• Remove gloves.
• Wash hands with soap and warm water.
Remember: Clean up rodent urine, droppings, and nesting materials promptly and safely.
Hospital, Outpatient, and Clinic Phone Numbers:
Location Phone/Hours:
Pine Ridge Hospital (605) 867-3184Monday-Friday: 8am-7pm Sunday & most holidays: 12pm-5pm
Wanblee Health Center (605) 462-5641
Kyle Health Center (605) 455-8261 / (605) 455-8258
Lacreek Clinic (605) 685-2880
Emergency Department (605) 867-3339
Questions about Hantavirus?
PHN Communicable Disease Line (605) 867-3300
Monday-Friday: 8am-4:30pm **Excluding Holidays
