08/20/2026
In conjunction to the announcement Pine Ridge IHS provided the OST Health Administration would like to inform our community of the most effective way of disinfecting and sanitizing the environment from Hantavirus. As well as more information regarding the hantavirus and sign/symptoms
1. Household bleach (1:10 dilution)
-Wet contaminated surfaces and droppings thoroughly and allow at least 5 minutes of contact time before wiping. Mix fresh solution; diluted bleach loses strength over time.
2. EPA-registered disinfectants
-Some commercial disinfectants labeled effective against hantavirus can be used per manufacturer instructions. Bleach remains the most widely cited standard for rodent-area cleanup.
3. Heat
-Washing fabrics in hot water (about 130°F/ 54°C or higher) and high-heat drying helps inactivate virus on laundry.
4. Sunlight (UV)
Outdoor UV exposure reduces viability on surfaces over time, but indoor cracks, upholstery, and shaded areas may not receive enough UV. Do not rely on sunlight
5. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Enveloped viruses are generally susceptible to alcohol. Sanitizer (about 60%+ alcohol) is useful for hand hygiene in the field but does not replace respiratory protection and wet cleanup of rodent material.
What does not work safely‼️
Dry sweeping, dry dusting, and ordinary vacuuming without HEPA containment can aerosolize virus from rodent waste. That increases inhalation risk and is what the CDC protocol is designed to prevent.
Statement provided via PINE RIDGE IHS FACEBOOK: PINE RIDGE, SOUTH DAKOTA — 8/20/2026 The Indian Health Service (I.H.S) is notifying residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation that Hantavirus has been detected on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Residents should not panic or avoid family members, neighbors, or other community members because of this alert.
The types of hantavirus that cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the United States are not known to spread from person to person. The primary concern is exposure to infected rodents and contaminated materials.
Hantavirus is a serious illness that is primarily associated with exposure to infected rodents, particularly through contact with rodent urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials. People can become infected when contaminated materials are disturbed and become airborne.
