WYOMING — The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is encouraging Wyomingites who plan to do some spring cleaning to be vigilant about hantavirus, a rare but potentially deadly disease spread by infected deer mice.
The disease made international headlines in February as the cause of death for Betsy Arakawa, wife to legendary screen actor Gene Hackman. USA Today reports that three hantavirus deaths have been observed in California this spring.
WDH Infectious Disease Epidemiologist Courtney Tillman listed hantavirus hot spots in a Tuesday press release.
“As spring arrives and people begin cleaning cabins, sheds, garages, old vehicles and other outbuildings that may have been closed up during the winter months, people should be aware of hantavirus risks and practice safe rodent cleanup,” Tillman said.
Symptoms of the virus can include tiredness, fever, muscle pain, diarrhea and coughing, according to WDH. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after a potential rodent or rodent dropping exposure should seek medical attention. There is no specific treatment for hantavirus, according to WDH, but infected individuals might be treated with “supportive care” including hydration and symptom treatment. WHD notes that an estimated 38% of infected people who develop respiratory symptoms will die from the infection.
“People can catch hantavirus through the droppings, urine or saliva of infected mice,” Tillman said. “People breathe in the virus when dust is stirred up, making cleaning activities such as sweeping and vacuuming particularly risky where there are signs of mice. It’s important to know how to clean up rodent-infested areas to avoid exposure to hantavirus.”
When cleaning an area potentially inhabited by rodents, WDH recommends the following:
- Ventilate: Open doors and windows for at least 30 minutes before starting to clean.
- Do not sweep or vacuum: Avoid sweeping and vacuuming, as this can stir up virus particles.
- Wear protective gear: Use rubber or plastic gloves and, if possible, a well-fitting N95 respirator.
- Disinfect: Spray droppings and contaminated areas with a bleach solution (one part bleach to 10 parts water) or a household disinfectant. Let it soak for five minutes.
- Wipe up: Use paper towels to pick up droppings and throw away in a sealed plastic bag.
- Clean and disinfect: Clean and disinfect all surfaces again after removing the droppings.
- Wash hands: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water when done.
See the WDH website for more information.
