Introduction: Professionals who handle rodents in the field and in the laboratory are at risk of infection by the microorganis mharbored by these animals.
Methods: Serum samples from professionals involved in rodent and Yersinia pestis handling in field or laboratory work were analyzed to determine hantavirus and plague seroprevalence and to establish a relationship between these activities and reports of illnesses.
Results: Two individuals had antibodies against hantavirus, and two harbored antibodie against the plague; none of the individuals had experienced an illness related to their duties.
Conclusions: These results confirm the risks of hantavirus- and plague-related field and laboratory activities and the importance of protective measures for such work.