Rio Grande County Public Health Agency                                       Tel (719) 657-3352                                     Email:

                              925 6th Street, Room 101                                                                Fax (719)657-2286

                               Del Norte, Colorado 81132

 

 

 

 

Hanta Virus Pulmonary Syndrome is a serious and often fatal respiratory disease carried by rodents, mainly deer mice.

People are infected by inhaling airborne particles of the virus contained in rodent urine, feces, and saliva and by direct contact with rodents, their droppings, and nests.

 

How  to recognize Hanta Virus illness:

 

Symptoms:

Early symptoms- fever, headache, nausea & vomiting, and muscle, joint, abdominal, & severe lower back  pain.

Cough and shortness of breath within 1-5 days

Difficulty breathing due to fluid build-up in the lungs that quickly progresses to respiratory failure.

 

 

How to prevent Hanta Virus illness:

Get rid of rodents in and around the home

“Seal Up”- rodent-proof house, shop, & barn

Eliminate food sources (pet food & other)

Limit possible nesting sites

“Trap-Up”- practice continuous rodent control

 

 

Use safety precautions when cleaning rodent-infested buildings

Thoroughly air-out buildings for 1 hour

Do not sweep or dry vacuum

Mix 1&1/2 cups bleach in 1 gallon water

Spray area with the bleach solution, let soak for 10 minutes

Wear rubber gloves

Wipe or mop.  Do not raise dust.

Double bag materials in 2 trash bags.  Put in outside trash can.