Hantavirus

What is it?

  • A virus carried by deer mice.
  • The virus is in their urine and droppings.

How do people get Hantavirus?

  • People may be infected- by contact with mouse droppings when cleaning out garages, sheds and cabins where mice lived over the winter.
  • Sweeping or vacuuming droppings, releases the virus into the air and it is breathed in.
  • It is not spread from person to person.

Do other animals carry Hantavirus?

  • The only known carrier is the deer mouse (reddish-brown or grey with white fur on the belly and feet.)
  • Other rodents may carry the virus so all rodents should be treated as carriers.
  • Hantavirus has not caused illness in pets or spread from pets to people.

What signs and symptoms can you have?

  • Early symptoms are flu-like: fever, body aches, chills and headache.
  • They occur 1-2 weeks after being infected.
  • Breathing problems leading to hospitalization occur 2-15 days after early symptoms.

Who is at risk for Hantavirus?

  • Only a small percent of the people who come in ontact with the virus get ill.
  • Most cases have occurred in people with close contact to mice or mice droppings.
  • Most cases occur in rural areas.

How do you prevent Hantavirus?

Keep mice / rodents away by:

  • Storing food and pet food in metal or plastic containers.
  • Sealing holes(anything over 6mm or ΒΌ in) with steel wool or cement to prevent entry.
  • Hauling away trash, old vehicles, old tires where mice / rodents can nest
  • Storing garbage in containers with tight fitting lids.
  • When entering a building where mice / rodents may live wear a mask so as not to breathe in the dust in the building.
  • If using traps or poisons to control mice beware of the danger to children and pets.
  • Wild mice should not be kept as pets.

When cleaning mice/rodent infested areas:

  • Air out the area for 30 minutes first.
  • Wear rubber or plastic gloves.
  • Also wear a mask so dust is not inhaled.
  • When cleaning heavily contaminated areas a HEPA mask may be purchased at safety supply stores.
  • Soak dead rodents, nests, droppings and contaminated items in a 1 to 10 bleach / water solution.
  • Pick up debris and place in double plastic bags.
  • Do not sweep or vacuum.
  • When clean-up is done seal bags, and place with regular garbage for routine pickup. After bags have been removed mop floors with soap, water and then a bleach / water solution.
  • Dirt floors can be sprayed with a 5 to 10 bleach / water solution.
  • For heavily infested areas contact a pest control service or a public health inspector for detailed information.

After clean up:

Wash hands well.

  • Wash gloves in a 1 to 10 bleach / water solution or dispose of.
  • Used traps should be rinsed with a 1 to 50 bleach solution before being reused.