Hantavirus is a virus that is found in the urine, saliva, or droppings of infected deer mice and some other wild rodents (cotton rats, rice rats in the southeastern United States and the white-footed mouse and the red-backed vole). It causes a rare but serious lung disease called Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome,The virus does not remain active for long once outside of its host -- less than 1 week outdoors and a few hours when exposed to direct sunlight.Hantavirus was first identified i... moreHantavirus
Hantavirus is a virus that is found in the urine, saliva, or droppings of infected deer mice and some other wild rodents (cotton rats, rice rats in the southeastern United States and the white-footed mouse and the red-backed vole). It causes a rare but serious lung disease called Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome,The virus does not remain active for long once outside of its host -- less than 1 week outdoors and a few hours when exposed to direct sunlight.Hantavirus was first identified in Canada in 1994. When researchers reviewed other earlier cases, they were able to positively identify that there were at least 3 other cases occurring before 1994, the first happening in 1989. Since 1989, there have been 109 confirmed hantavirus cases and 27 deaths in Canada according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (as of January 2015).People can contract the Hantavirus infection through inhalation of respirable droplets of saliva or urine, or through the dust of feces from infected wild rodents, especially the deer mouse.The disease begins as a flu-like illness. In the early stage, a worker may experience fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat and gastrointestinal problems.There is no specific vaccine, treatment or cure for Hantavirus infection but early recognition and medical care in an intensive care unit can help with recovery.
Cases of Hantavirus infection contracted in Canada and the United States have been associated with these activities:
Sweeping out a barn and other ranch buildings.
Trapping and studying mice.
Using compressed air and dry sweeping to clean up wood waste in a sawmill.
Handling grain contaminated with mouse droppings and urine.
Entering a barn infested with mice.
Planting or harvesting field crops.
Attempt to reduce the presence of mice and limit contact with their droppings, urine and saliva by:
Storing food (including pet food), water and garbage in heavy plastic or metal containers with tight fitting lids.
Sealing any holes in structures where mice may enter.
Cutting back thick brush and keep grass short. Keep woodpiles away from the building.
Using rubber or plastic gloves when cleaning up signs of rodents, handling dead rodents, or other materials. When finished, clean gloves with soapy water before taking them off. Wash hands with soapy water (again) after removing the gloves.
Setting traps when necessary. Put rodents in a plastic bag, seal the bag, and dispose.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia have guidelines that cover a variety of workplace situations. For more details on risk assessment and precautions for specific situations not clearly addressed by existing guidelines contact specific agencies responsible for such detailed information, for example, your local public health office.
Hantavirus. Public Health Agency of Canada
Hantavirus. US Centers for Disease Control
A Hantavirus Exposure Control Program for Employers and Workers. Worksafe BC
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