Hantavirus survivor reveals 1 ‘terrifying’ symptom of deadly virus that left her struggling for six months

But even as health officials continue reassuring the public that the virus is different, some people remain worried it could spread further.

Hantavirus is typically transmitted through exposure to rodents, including contact with urine, feces, saliva, or airborne particles from dried droppings. According to the WHO, “HCPS has a high case fatality rate, commonly between 20% and 40%, making it a disease of major public health concern.”

Infectious disease specialist and global health researcher Dr. Alexandra Wharton-Smith said: “Hantavirus is transmitted through exposure to infected rodents and their fluids and/or droppings. With the Andes strain of hantavirus, human-to-human transmission is possible through close contact and fluids of infected people, but currently there are only a handful of cases and they are being closely tracked and receiving care,” in an interview with UNILAD.

Mary Stanley tested positive for hantavirus in 2025 after what she suspects was exposure to rodent droppings inside an air-conditioning unit at her office. Speaking to The U.S. Sun, she described the frightening experience.

In the interview, she admitted she feared for her life: “I wasn’t sure if I was going to get worse and die, but I tried to keep healing my lungs,” she said, according to VT.

Stanley continued: “The worst part was the pressure on my lungs. It felt like someone was standing on my chest constantly.

“The cough was horrific. I was also really worried I was going to give it to my kids.”