Supportive therapy is the mainstay of care for patients with hantavirus infections. Care includes careful management of the patient's fluid (hydration) and electrolyte (e.g., sodium, potassium, chloride) levels, maintenance of correct oxygen and blood pressure levels, and appropriate treatment of any secondary infections. Dialysis may be required to correct severe fluid overload. Intravenous ribavirin, an antiviral drug, has been shown to decrease illness and death associated with HFRS.

Depending upon which virus is causing the HFRS, death occurs in less than 1% to as many as 15% of patients. Fatality ranges from 5-15% for HFRS caused by Hantaan virus, and it is less than 1% for disease caused by Puumala virus.

Rodent control is the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infections. Rodent populations near human communities should be controlled, and rodents should be excluded from homes. Individuals should avoid contact with rodent urine, droppings, saliva, and nesting materials, and the safety measures described below should be followed when cleaning rodent-infested areas.

• Wear rubber, latex, vinyl, or nitrile gloves.
• Do not stir up dust by vacuuming, sweeping, or any other means.
• Thoroughly wet contaminated areas with a hypochlorite (bleach) solution or household disinfectant. A bleach solution can be made by mixing 1½ cups of household bleach in 1 gallon of water. (Note: bleach solution is an irritant and should not be used on humans or live animals. Care should be used to avoid splashing when mixing the solution.)
• Once everything is wet, remove contaminated materials with a paper towel and then mop or sponge the area with bleach solution or household disinfectant.
• Spray dead rodents with bleach solution or disinfectant and double-bag them along with the used cleaning materials (paper towels). Discard the bagged waste in an appropriate garbage container to be collected by the sanitation department. Alternate disposal, such as burying or burning the waste, should only be used in accordance with local and state health and safety regulations.
• Remove gloves, and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water (or use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled).