What should I do if I think I've been exposed to hantavirus?

Disclaimer: this information is general and not medical advice — consult a physician for individual evaluation. If you've had potential rodent exposure (cleaning a rodent-infested space, sleeping in an endemic-area cabin, contact with droppings) or you were a passenger or close contact of MV Hondius travelers: (1) Note the date of suspected exposure — symptoms typically appear 2-4 weeks later but can extend to 8 weeks. (2) Monitor for fever, severe muscle aches (especially thighs/hips/back), fatigue, headache, and rapid-onset shortness of breath. (3) If symptoms appear, seek medical attention urgently — early hospitalization significantly improves survival in HPS. (4) Tell your physician explicitly about the rodent exposure or Hondius contact, as hantavirus is rare and may not be considered without prompting. (5) Public health authorities in 6 countries (USA, Singapore, Canada, France, UK, Spain) are conducting active tracing for Hondius contacts; respond promptly if contacted.