In New York State, which rodent is a primary carrier of hantavirus?

• A. The Norway rat
• B. The house mouse
• C. The deer mouse and white-footed mouse
• D. The gray squirrel

Answer: (C)

Hantavirus in North America is carried mainly by specific wild rodent species, and in New York State the primary hosts are the deer mouse and the white-footed mouse. These Peromyscus species shed the virus in urine, droppings, and saliva, and humans typically become infected by inhaling aerosolized particles from contaminated rodent secretions. The deer mouse is strongly associated with rural and forested environments, while the white-footed mouse is common in urban and suburban areas, which explains hantavirus exposure across different settings in the state. The other rodents listed are not the main reservoirs for hantavirus in New York, so they’re not considered the primary carriers.