Hantavirus Confirmed In Three Wild Mice In Tierrasanta
Virus Can Cause Flu-Like Symptoms
POSTED: 8:26 pm PDT April 17, 2006
UPDATED: 9:10 am PDT April 18, 2006
SAN DIEGO -- Three wild mice trapped in San Diego's Tierrasanta neighborhood during routine pest monitoring have tested positive for hantavirus, county health officials announced Monday.
The virus, found in rodent droppings and urine, can be inhaled by humans when it becomes airborne and can cause flu-like symptoms that are sometimes fatal, according to the Department of Environmental Health.
It is carried by wild rodents, primarily deer mice.
Early symptoms of the illness in humans caused by hantavirus include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headache, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, health officials said.
Later, symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath that rapidly progresses to severe difficulty in breathing, and sometimes death.
While there is no specific treatment for hantavirus, county health officials said there are ways to avoid exposure.
"It is important to eliminate rodent infestations immediately and avoid rodent infested areas," department director Gary Erbeck said.
"Do not stir up dust or materials that may be contaminated with rodent droppings and urine," Erbeck said. "Now is a good time to use caution while opening up cabins that have been closed for the winter."
Rodent droppings and urine should be cleaned using the "wet cleaning" method, not by sweeping or vacuuming, according to department officials.
Wet cleaning involves spraying a mixture of 10 percent bleach and water onto dead rodents, droppings, nests, traps and surrounding areas and letting the disinfectant stand for at least 15 minutes before cleaning.
A sponge or a mop should be used and the material should be placed into two plastic bags, that are sealed and disposed of in the trash.
dit virus is dus overdraagbaar op mensen en kan zich muteren tot een overdraagbaar virus van mens tot mens. In dat geval zouden de alarmbellen moeten gaan rinkelen, want hieraan kan men zelfs dood gaan!
