I have a similar concern about deer mice and hantavirus, but would like to know if there is more specific information -- if the county keeps any kinds of records on number or % of deer mice that are infected in IL or Lake County. (similar to the way west nile is reported for mosquitos) We cleaned out some mice nesting and entry areas in our crawlspace without disinfecting first and without protective gear not aware that deer mice were the culprit. So in fact dust was generated in this process, so I am concerned that we put ourselves in an exposure situation since we have observed in the extermination process that deer mice are present. Thank you.

Mice are not regularly tested in Illinois. But there have been very, very few cases of people contracting hantavirus in Illinois (I think there have been three cases since the mid-1990s). So the risk is extremely minimal.