[Cotton]

Understandably, thorough hand washing is important after handling hamsters and any type of animal. I was surprised to read, though, that a rodent disease (forgotten the name) can also be transmitted to humans through the respiratory system while cleaning hamsters' droppings. We have to inhale/exhale while cleaning their habitats and children/adults never wear masks while doing it so it can't be common. It sounds like a serious illness. Does anyone know the odds or statistics? I can't find actual numbers. Maybe I have a bigger chance of getting West Nile virus from a mosquito, but I don't stop going out in summer, so then I shouldn't be concerned about this, either.