Hantavirus

Description
  • Deadly disease from rodent bites or ingesting their excrement
Cause
  • Rodent excrement
  • Contaminated food
     
Symptoms
  • Febrile illnesses:
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Muscle aches
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Lower back pain
  • With kidney, blood or respiratory ailments, sometimes fatal
     
Treatment
  • Seek medical attention from a physician
Prevention
  • Wear surgical gloves and masks when handling rodents .
  • Properly dispose of mice and rodents in campsites and cabins before occupying.
  • Spray premises with detergents or diluted bleach before thorough cleaning.
  • Avoid dry sweeping and vacuuming the infected area as airborne particles could be produced.
     
Handling Animals
  • Infected animals shed virus in their urine, feces and saliva and can be chronically infected
     
Other Facts
  • A possible new hantavirus was discovered in 1983 with the first cases reported in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
  • A deer mouse may have infected the people.