Deer Mice

Question
I was keeping some deer mice I caught in the house over the winter, and released half of them back outside already. I still have a few more to release. I was hesitating because I considered keeping a couple favorites - one in particular. I am worried about hantavirus even though, I have raised deer mice for a couple years. I found a lab that will test the mice feces for me to be sure.
My problem: Even though, it is rare, what if the lab results come back that the mice do have hantavirus? Am I obligated to kill them? Can I in good conscience release them if they were infected? Would the lab insist I kill them? How happy would they be in captivity, anyway? I have had other mice that seemed to adapt well, but they were raised from pups.

Answer
Hi Derek,

Good deal on finding a place to get them tested!  That's the hard part for most people.  The lab shouldn't have anything to say on what you have to do with them, they'll likely just send you results and a bill.  Since you've had them for a little while now, only you can really say how happy they'd be in captivity.  I usually wouldn't expect them to adjust very well, but every mouse is different.

If the results come back positive for hantavirus, you still don't have to make a decision right away.  I am assuming that if you've been keeping them for some time that you're already familiar with how to protect yourself from infection?  The choice on what to do with them ultimately comes down to you, because that really is a very tough call to make.  In my personal opinion, releasing them would be fine, because if they already had the virus then it's already running through the ecosystem.  If you just don't want to contribute to the issue, which would be a very hard but responsible choice, professionally performed euthanasia and proper disposal would be the best bet to protect you personally.  Killing them and then disposing of them improperly would still expose the virus to the ecosystem, so be sure if you decide to put them down that a professional takes care of the bodies.  Ultimately it's up to you, but I would hold off worrying about it until the results come in and just take measures to protect yourself in the meantime (masks during change-outs, proper sanitation, etc.).

I certainly hope it doesn't come to that!  You have my thoughts, and my fingers are crossed for those test results!

-Tam