WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Presented by: Angelique Rusk Public Health Graduate Student at Walden University

Illness Transmission Risks Prevention

Group of viruses

Carried by rodents

Can cause rare but deadly disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome or HPS for short

Washington Department of Health. Hantavirus

DEER MOUSE COTTON RAT

Deer mouse

Photos courtesy of the Washington State Department of Labor and

Industries

Picture courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1-5 weeks after exposure Fever Severe muscle aches Fatigue

A few days after symptoms begin Difficulty breathing

Can sometimes include headaches, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain

Infection can lead to lung failure and death Centers For Disease Control and

Prevention. Facts about hantaviruses

Washington:Since 1993 there have been 40 cases reported with 13 (33%) associated deathsOne to five cases reported each year14% of over 1,100 tested deer mice have been infected with Sin Nombre virusUnited States:Cases reported in all states except for Hawaii and AlaskaThrough June of 1999, 217 cases reported5 pediatric cases reported in 2009

Washington State Department of Health 1999 &2010

CDC

Sweeping out a barn and other ranch buildings Trapping and studying mice Entering a barn infested with mice Planting or harvesting field crops Occupying previously vacant dwellingsDisturbing rodent-infested areas while hiking or campingLiving in dwellings with a sizable indoor rodent population

Work Safe BC. A hantavirus risk control program for employers and

workers.

Some occupations will put people at a higher risk

Plumbers Maintenance workers Telephone installers Electricians Construction workers

Work Safe BC. A hantavirus exposure control program for

employers and workers.

Prevent access to food Keep food in thick plastic or metal containers with tight lids Do not leave pet food out overnight Keep garbage in thick plastic or

metal containers with tight lids

Trap mice

Photo courtesy of getridofpests.com

Prevent entry to home Check home for holes or gaps and seal

Photo courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Facts about hantavirus

Basement or crawl space Attic Inside, under and behind kitchen cabinets Around fireplace, doors, and floor air

vents Around pipes under sinks and washing

machines Around pipes going to hot water heaters

and furnaces

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Facts about hantavirus

Eliminate nesting sites Keep composting bins and wood piles 100

feet or more form the house Clean up trash, brush, and weeds

Eliminate food sources Use thick plastic or metal with tight fitting lids

for garbage, grains, and animal feed Eliminate entry places to home

Seal all holes larger than the width of a pencil

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Facts about hantavirus

In the roof around rafters, gables, and eaves

Around windows and doors Between the foundation of your house

and ground Attic vents and crawl space vents Around holes for electrical, plumbing, and

gas lines

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Facts about hantavirus

Camping Air out and inspect cabin Check campsite Avoid disturbing nests Avoid sleeping on bare ground Store food in rodent-proof containers Promptly discard, bury, or burn garbage

Guide For Campers

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Prevent hantavirus

pulmonary syndrome

Do not vacuum or sweep!

This will cause virus particles to go into the air where they can then be breathed in!

Photos courtesy of Google Images

Wear rubber or latex gloves Spray urine and droppings with a disinfectant or

a bleach/water mixture Let soak 5 minutes Use a paper towel to wipe up urine and

droppings and place all in garbage Mop or sponge the area with a disinfectant or

bleach mixture Wash gloved hands with soap and water or

disinfectant Wash hands after glove removal

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Taking steps to

prevent hantavirus

Wear rubber or latex gloves Spray dead rodent and surrounding area with

bleach mixture or disinfectant and let soak Place nesting materials or trap with dead rodent

in a plastic bag Seal bag in two bags Throw bag in a regularly emptied trash can that

covers Wash gloved hands with soap and water,

disinfectant spray, or bleach mixture Remove gloves and wash hands

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Facts about hantavirus

Currently no vaccine or antiviral drug to protect

Small amount of studies to create vaccine

Is it necessary?

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a rare but serious disease that can occur after contact with an infected rodent.

Reduce your risk Prevention Proper cleaning methods

Washington Department of Health Hantavirus Fact Sheet Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome(HPS)

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention All about hantavirus

Boortz.(2007) Image retrieved from: http://boortz.com/nuze/200711/11292007.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1995). Prevent hantavirus pulmonary syndrome: A public information guide for tourists, campers, and hikers. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/Camper_Hiker.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2004). HPS teaching slideset. Retrieved from :http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/graphics/hpsslideset/slide4b.gif

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in five pediatric patients-four states 2009. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 58(50),

1409-1412.Retrieved from Academic Search Complete. (Accession number: 01492195).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (nd). Facts about hantaviruses: what you need to know to know to prevent the disease hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/HPS_Brochure.pdf

Fabbri, M., & Maslow, M.J. (2001). Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the united states. Current Infectious Disease Reports, 3(3), 258-265. Retrieved from ProQuest Central. (Document ID:

1938747551).

Washington Department of Health. (2010). Hantavirus. Retrieved from:http://www.doh.wa/ehsphl/factsheet/hanta.htm

Washington Department of Health. (2010). Notifiable conditions: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome

(HPS). Retrieved from : http://www.doh.wa.gov/notify/nc/hantavirus.htm

Washington Department of Health. (1999). Rodent control: taking steps to prevent Hantavirus.

Retrieved from: http://here.doh.wa.gov/materials/rodent-control-taking-steps-to-

prevent-hantavirus/24_RodentHV_E99L.pdf

Work Safe BC.(2006). A hantavirus risk control program for employers and workers. Retrieved from:

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/high_resolution_publications/assets/pdf/bk 74.pdf