Recent Hantavirus Outbreak

Health Update: Pet Rats and the Recent Hantavirus Outbreak

We are addressing recent news regarding the hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship. Headlines combining "hantavirus" and "rodents" can cause immediate concern for pet owners. Your pets, our rattery, and your families face zero risk from this outbreak.

The Facts: Why Your Pet Rats Are Safe

A Different Strain: The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship is caused by the Andes virus strain. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed this strain originated from wild pygmy rice rats in South America. It is entirely unrelated to domestic pet rats.

Strict Pathogen Testing: The only hantavirus strain historically associated with domestic rats is the Seoul virus. Our rattery strictly tests for and maintains a 100% negative status for all zoonotic pathogens, explicitly including Seoul hantavirus.

Controlled Environment: Hantaviruses cannot spontaneously generate in captivity. Our rats live in a highly controlled indoor environment with zero exposure to wild rodents.

Low Public Risk: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the overall risk to the general public from this cruise ship outbreak remains extremely low.

Easy Everyday Care & Hygiene Tips

While our rats are fully certified pathogen-free, the CDC small mammal guidelines recommend basic, common-sense hygiene habits for all pet owners to keep both your family and your pets healthy.

🧼 Smart Handling Habits

•Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands with soap and water right after playing with your rats or touching their toys.

•Keep Food Separate: Do not eat, drink, or share your snacks while you are playing with your rats.

•Bandage Scratches: Cover any open cuts on your hands with a bandage before handling your pets.

🧽 Simple Cage Cleaning Steps

•Dampen the Dust: Spray dirty bedding lightly with water or animal-safe disinfectant before cleaning. This stops dusty bedding particles from floating into the air.

•Wash Out of the Kitchen: Clean your rat's cage, plastic igloos, and food bowls outside or in a bathroom tub. Never wash pet items in the kitchen sink where you make human food.

🐭 Keep Wild Rodents Away

•Store Food in Plastic: Keep your pet rat food and treats sealed tightly in hard plastic or metal containers so wild pests cannot smell them.

•Block Wild Invaders: Check your home for small gaps or holes to ensure wild mice and rats cannot get inside to meet your pets.

Our rigorous biosecurity protocols ensure our lines remain healthy, happy, and pathogen-free. Please don't hesitate to contact us directly if you have any specific concerns.