The NFRS Committee is currently developing guidelines regarding hantavirus. In the meantime, if you have a confirmed case of hantavirus either in yourself or your family, your rats or in your pet homes, please notify the NFRS Committee and do not show or rehome any rats directly linked to a hantavirus case until further notice. The NFRS will not support rehoming these rats and considers doing so to be harmful to the NFRS and its members. During this period your listing will be removed from the breeders list.
A confirmed case in a human means two tests showing a rising titre of antibodies approx 3 weeks apart. It cannot be confirmed from a single test.
Please be aware that while hantavirus is endemic in rats, this does not mean all rats carry the virus.
There is a faecal test available for rats via Surrey Diagnostics to test for active infection, the details of which we can provide. If you choose to go ahead with this, please send a copy of your results (anonymously, should you wish) to Ann Storey so that we can gather data on the prevalence of hantavirus within pet rats. The virus appears to die out after a period of time and does not transmit vertically (from mother to offspring). We therefore advise that any weaned kittens are kept in a separate airspace to the adults and with biosecurity measures in place until the adult group tests negative for the virus. Biosecurity measures used may include increased ventilation, use of a mask, hand washing, and more regular and thorough clean outs.
A blood test for antibody in rats is also available. This will show past infection.
We are keen to collect data on the prevalence of hantavirus within the rat fancy, so encourage members to test even without a confirmed case and anonymously report their results. The government advice for hantavirus (found on the .gov website) should also be shared before and/or at the time of homing.