Gene Hackman’s wife died from hantavirus disease found in rats and mice. We trappers are probably exposed to rodents more than most people. Does anyone know if cases have been reported in NZ? I’ve searched online but nothing obvious.
Peter Wood
It is a few years since the page was updated, but the Health NZ website says:
There has never been a reported endemic or imported case of VHF in New Zealand, but it is possible that a sick traveller will bring the disease to New Zealand, where it may spread from person to person.
What we definitely do have in NZ is leptospirosis, which for trappers is most likely to be transmitted via touching something contaminated by rodent urine. If anyone has not already done so, I’d recommend reading the WorkSafe guidance - many people think only about direct contact with trapped rats/mice when writing safety plans, but the bacteria may also be present in water and wet soils (especially in farming areas), as well as on any surface the rats/mice have peed on! 
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