Published: 2014-10-16 years Updated: 2020-12-10
Author: World of People with Disabilities | Contact: Disability World (www.disabled-world.com)
Peer-reviewed publications: N / A
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Summary: Information regarding Hantavirus, a disease caused by breathing in contaminated dust after disturbing or cleaning rodent nests or droppings. Hantavirus is named for the Hantan River region in South Korea, where an early outbreak was detected. Pets, snakes, and carnivores are not infected and do not transmit Hantavirus to humans or other animals.
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Main announcement
Hantavirus is a group of viruses carried by rodents. One of them, the ‘Sin Nombre virus’, was found in deer rats in North America. The Sin Nombre virus is the cause of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in humans.
Hantavirus is named for the Hantan River region in South Korea, where an early outbreak was detected. The virus was isolated in the late 1970s by Karl M. Johnson and Ho-Wang Lee. Hantavirus is a negative-sense, enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus in the family Bunyaviridae. They usually infect rodents and do not cause disease in these hosts. Humans can become infected with hantavirus from contact with the urine, saliva, or feces of rodents. Some strains of hantavirus cause potentially fatal diseases in humans, such as Hantavirus hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), while others are unrelated. to known diseases in humans.
Deer rats excrete the virus in their saliva, urine and feces. A person can be exposed to Hantavirus by breathing in contaminated dust after disturbing or cleaning rodent nests or droppings, or by working or living in areas that are infested with rodents. Pets, snakes, and carnivores are not infected and do not transmit Hantavirus to humans or other animals. In North America, there is no evidence that the disease spreads from person to person.
Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
A person can start experiencing symptoms of HPS 1-6 weeks after they breathe in the virus. Symptoms usually begin with 3-5 days of flu-like illness, including symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Tired
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Muscle aches
As the disease progresses, it causes shortness of breath as fluid rushes into the lungs of the affected person. This person usually needs hospital care. HPS is a serious disease and about 1 out of 3 people diagnosed with HPS have died.
Deer mouse
The deer mouse is about 6 inches long from the nose to the tip of the tail. The upper surface is gray to light brown, with large ears, a white belly, as well as a white hairy tail on the underside. There are several other types of mice that can carry Hantavirus that do not have these features.
The deer mouse, ‘Peromyscus maniculatus,’ is the main carrier of Hantavirus in the western United States. All wild rodents; however, should be avoided by everyone. For example, deer rats live in all parts of Washington State; but mainly in rural areas. Deer rats transmit the virus to each other, and some populations of deer rats are often infected.
Despite the infection, deer rats did not get sick or experience any symptoms. In Washington State, about 14% of the more than 1,100 deer mice tested were found to be infected with the Sin Nombre virus. Since infected deer rats live throughout the state mentioned as an example, human cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) can occur in any area of the state. Between 1 and 5 people are found to be infected with HPS each year in Washington State.
Hantavirus and infectious longevity
The length of time Hantavirus can infect the environment is variable and depends on environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature, whether the virus itself is outdoors or indoors, or even in the diet. that the rat has consumed – this will affect the chemistry of the rat’s urine. It is important that a person cannot tell how old a drop of feces is, so all rodent droppings should be handled as if they were potentially infectious. Areas with ongoing rodent infestation are particularly at risk.
Prevent
HPS is a very serious disease and there are several ways you can help to prevent it. Keep rodents out of your home and workplace. Always take precautions when you are cleaning, sealing and trapping infested areas. Seal cracks and crevices in buildings larger than 1/4 inch, including window and door sills, under sinks and around pipes, in foundations, attics, and around any openings any rodent infestation. You can also clean up rodent areas by following these suggestions:
- Wear rubber, latex, vinyl or nitrile gloves
- Do not stir up dust by sweeping, vacuuming or any other means
- Bury, burn or dispose of rodents in an appropriate waste disposal system
- Disinfect your gloves with disinfectant or soap and water before you take them off
- Spray disinfectant on dead rodents and then double bags with all cleaning materials
- Steam or shampoo furniture and upholstery with evidence of rodent contact
- After you have removed your clean gloves, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub if soap is not available.
Completely wet contaminated areas, including trapped rats, droppings and nests, with a 10% bleach solution. Mix 1.5 cups of household bleach in 1 gallon of water. After everything is soaked for 10 minutes, remove all nesting material, rats, or droppings with a damp cloth, then use a cleaning solution or wipe the area clean.
Notes when using when working, hiking or camping outdoors
People love the outdoors just as much as other forms of life. People also work outside in many different professions. Some of the recommended precautions to be followed when working, hiking, or camping outdoors in relation to Hantavirus and HPS include:
- Do not wipe out infected cabins
- Do not handle or feed wild rodents
- Keep food in a bug-proof box
- Use a tent with a floor or canvas
- If you can, don’t sleep on the ground
- Exhaust air from shelters and cabins and then check for signs of rodent infestation
- Do not set up tents or put sleeping bags near rodent droppings or burrows
- Follow the instructions to disinfect the shelter or cabin before sleeping in it
- Avoid contact with rodents, their burrows or nests such as packed rat nests
- Dispose of trash according to site restrictions and keep it in rodent-proof containers until you dispose of it.
If you have been exposed to rodents or rodent-infested buildings and have fever, shortness of breath and muscle aches – see your healthcare provider right away. Inform your healthcare provider about possible exposure to rodents so they are alerted to the possibility of rodent diseases such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome.
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• Cite This Page (APA): Disability World. (2014, October 16). Hantavirus: Symptoms, Precautions, and Prevention. The world of people with disabilities. Accessed October 27, 2022 from www.disabled-world.com/health/hantavirus.php
• Permalinks: Hantavirus: Symptoms, Precautions and Prevention
