This article is from the WSSF 2015 AFRMA Rat & Mouse Tales news-magazine.

By Karen Robbins

Brittany Terrell, Facebook
Q My boyfriend recently found three orphaned baby mice. We are nursing them/raising them. They seem to be doing good and are in the process of weaning them. We believe that they are field mice. We wash our hands thoroughly before and after handling them but I’m not sure if they carry diseases or if they can even be vaccinated? What is the likelihood of orphaned field mice having hantavirus? I’m concerned.

A You can read more on Hantavirus on the CDC web site and www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/rodents/index.html. There is also information and a brochure on the California Dept. of Health web site (and probably info on your state’s site). There is also information from the HPA in England [now Public Health England]. There is a lot more info on various web sites.

I couldn’t find anything on the percentage of wild mice that carry this, just that not all carry it and the mice don’t normally get sick from it (only the people that are exposed to them or their droppings/urine/etc.). It is suggested on the CDC web site to contact them or your local/state health department with any questions. You can also try your vet to see what he/she says.