![]() To reduce exposure to hantavirus around the home, prevent or eliminate rodent infestations. What should be done to reduce exposure to hantavirus at home? The New York State Department of Health has created guidance on mice and rat control in the home and community. Do not disturb rodents, burrows or nests. What is the best way to prevent exposure to hantaviruses?Īvoid contact with rodent droppings or urine. Rapid diagnosis and supportive treatment have increase the chance of survival. If there is a high degree of suspicion of hantavirus disease, patients should be immediately transferred to an emergency department or intensive care unit for close monitoring and care. Early supportive treatment of patients with hantavirus disease can improve survival. There is no specific treatment, cure, or vaccine for hantavirus disease. If a person reports history of rodent exposure and is experiencing fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath, a physician may draw blood to test for hantavirus infection. It is important to talk to health care providers about possible exposure to rats or mice or their droppings. Mild illnesses not requiring hospitalization also have been reported.Įarly diagnosis can be challenging since initial symptoms can be vague. Infected people sometimes die of respiratory failure or shock. As the illness progresses, the main symptom of hantavirus infection is difficulty in breathing, which is caused by fluid build-up in the lungs, and which quickly progresses to an inability to breathe. Other symptoms may include headache, nausea (a feeling of sickness in the stomach), vomiting, diarrhea (loose stool/poop) and dizziness. Early symptoms are general and include fever, fatigue, and muscle pain. Most often symptoms occur 9-33 days after the virus enters the body, but symptoms can appear as early as one week or as late as eight weeks. What are the symptoms of hantavirus disease, and how long after infection do they appear? cannot be spread from one person to another. The types of hantavirus found in the U.S. While rare, a rodent's bite can also spread the virus. ![]() Breathing in the virus is the most common way of getting infected however, people can also become infected by touching their mouth or nose after handling contaminated materials. The virus, which is found in rodent urine, saliva, and feces (poop), can be easily released in the air in confined spaces when disturbed by rodents or human activities, such as sweeping or vacuuming. Hantavirus is spread from wild rodents, particularly mice and rats, to people. From 1995-2017, five New York State residents were diagnosed with hantavirus infection. Sporadic (single) cases may occur throughout the country, but most, greater than 90%, of the cases have occurred in the west of the Mississippi River. Many of these individuals also had household exposures. cases of HPS, patients with potential occupational exposures have included grain farmers, an extension livestock specialist, field biologists, and agricultural, mill, construction, utility and feedlot workers. In addition, visitors to rural areas and nature resorts - campers, hikers, and others who take part in activities outdoors - can become exposed to the virus.Īmong documented U.S. Entering rarely opened or seasonally closed buildings with rodent activity may also cause infection. Exposure to poorly ventilated areas with active rodent infestations in households, is the strongest risk factor for infection. Who gets hantavirus disease?Īnyone who comes into contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, saliva, nesting materials, or particles from these, can get hantavirus disease. Although most cases have occurred in states west of the Mississippi River, sporadic (single) cases have reported in several eastern states including New York. In the U.S., human hantavirus infections were first identified in the Southwest in 1993. A milder form of the disease called Non-Pulmonary Hantavirus infection, can also occur. Hantaviruses found in North America can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a severe lung disease which can be fatal. Hantaviruses are found in wild rodents, such as mice and rats, in different parts of the world. Hantavirus disease is caused by several different strains of hantaviruses. Last Reviewed: June 2018 What is hantavirus disease? All Health Care Professionals & Patient Safety.Clinical Guidelines, Standards & Quality of Care.Health & Safety in the Home, Workplace & Outdoors.Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce Records.
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