What organism should be suspected in a contractor who developed respiratory disease after inspecting an abandoned warehouse infested with rodents?

The correct answer is Hantavirus. This is a significant consideration for a contractor who develops respiratory disease after exposure to an environment like an abandoned warehouse, particularly one infested with rodents. Hantavirus is known to be transmitted through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva, and can lead to serious respiratory illness such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).

When people clean areas where rodents have been or inhale dust particles contaminated with the virus, they can become infected. Symptoms often appear after a period of incubation following exposure, and respiratory distress is a key feature of the illness. The connection between rodent exposure and respiratory symptoms makes Hantavirus a primary suspect in this scenario.

In contrast, Rotavirus and Norwalk-like virus primarily cause gastrointestinal illnesses and are not associated with respiratory symptoms or rodent exposure. West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and is mainly associated with neurological diseases, not respiratory issues related to rodents. Therefore, considering the specific context of respiratory disease after rodent exposure in a warehouse setting, Hantavirus is the most appropriate organism to suspect.