HANTAVIRUAS: All You Need To Know About It

WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS??

Hantavirus is a virus that is found in the urine, saliva, or droppings of infected deer mice and some other wild rodents (cotton rats, rice rats in the southeastern Unites States and the white-footed mouse and the red-backed vole). It causes a rare but serious lung disease called Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). The virus does not remain active for long once outside of its host -- less than 1 week outdoors and a few hours when exposed to direct sunlight

HOW COMMON IS HANTAVIRUS

Hantavirus was first identified in Canada in 1994. When researchers reviewed other earlier cases, they were able to positively identify that there were at least 3 other cases occurring before 1994, the first happening in 1989. Since 1989, there have been 109 confirmed hantavirus cases and 27 deaths in Canada according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (as of January 2015).

HOW CAN I GET INFECTED WITH HANTAVIRUS
People can contract the Hantavirus infection through inhalation of respirable droplets of saliva or urine, or through the dust of feces from infected wild rodents, especially the deer mouse. Transmission can also occur when contaminated material gets into broken skin, or possibly, ingested in contaminated food or water. Person-to-person transmission in North America has not been reported. A few situations of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in South America suggests person-to-person transmission is possible. However, the viruses isolated in South America are genetically distinct from those described in North America.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR HANTAVIRUS???
There is no specific vaccine, treatment or cure for Hantavirus infection but early recognition and medical care in an intensive care unit can help with recovery. Infected people may be given medication for fever and pain and oxygen therapy.

HOW TO PREVENT HANTAVIRUS

Attempt to reduce the presence of mice and limit contact with their droppings, urine and saliva by:

• Storing food (including pet food), water and garbage in heavy plastic or metal containers with tight fitting lids.
• Sealing any holes in structures where mice may enter.
• Cutting back thick brush and keep grass short. Keep woodpiles away from the building.
• Using rubber or plastic gloves when cleaning up signs of rodents, handling dead rodents, or other materials.  When finished, clean gloves with soapy water before taking them off. Wash hands with soapy water (again) after removing the gloves.
• Setting traps when necessary.  Put rodents in a plastic bag, seal the bag, and dispose them

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