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
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