False E-mail Report: Hantavirus Spread by Contact With Soda
Cans or Grocery Packages
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received several inquiries
about an e-mail report of a stock clerk who became infected with hantavirus while working in a storeroom.
According to the e-mail message, the infection resulted from exposure to dried rodent droppings that were
contaminated with hantavirus. The e-mail message warns the reader to take precautions when handling items such
as soda cans and grocery packages (for example, cereal boxes) because they may be contaminated with
hantavirus. The e-mail report is untrue. CDC could not substantiate this report of a hantavirus infection, nor has CDC
been asked to participate in an investigation of the incident described in the e-mail. Read
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