HANTAVIRUS UPDATE

 

 

It is important that we all keep up to date with the emerging news about the increasing incidence, and subsequent concern, of Hantavirus illnesses transmitted by various rodents.  The recent warnings center around a group of Hantavirus diseases called HPS or Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome.  They have been considered the causative agents of the recent southwestern U.S. fatalities.  Infected rodents have been identified in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Washington and thus can be suspected to exist throughout Crane’s service areas.  In California, 25 cases have been reported with eleven of them ending in fatalities. 

 

The disease is caused by breathing airborne particles from the urine, droppings or saliva of certain species of rodents, as well as from eating food contaminated with rodent feces or urine. The most recent cases demonstrate around a 45% human fatality rate and thus, though an infrequent disease, its consequences make it somewhat alarming and important!

 

In the recent outbreaks in the southwest as well as in most of the other incidents in the U.S., the deer mouse has been the rodent infected with the Hantavirus.  However, the family of Hantaviruses is well known in Asia and the Balkans and is the source of HFRS (Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome, previously called Korean Hemorrhagic Fever) which is harbored and spread by Norway rats.

 

Crane has been monitoring the course of this disease since it was first reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  For several years our technicians have received what little training exists on “precautionary handling practices,” and each possesses a kit of antiseptic solutions for treating potentially contaminated carcasses and controls.  But these procedures have been in the area of personal hygiene and protection.  More recently we have presented continuing education classes on the subject so that our field technicians would be further sensitive to the potential problem and a source of information to our clients.  In addition, we have on several occasions distributed warnings/updates to our clients on the emerging information as it is transmitted to us.

 

We must all respect that line between unnecessary alarm and informed caution. The problem as we see it at Crane is that, historically, we the public has not taken mice very seriously. They are  petite, physically delicate and to many people “cute.”  Indeed, we are frequently asked if our control measures for mice (not for rats) would permit us to return them safely to the outside!  Many catalogs we all receive list “humane” mouse traps to enable the public to relocate and thus save the animal.  Consequently we don’t normally think of its urine or those tiny pellets, its feces, as a source of a disease that to date has killed 52% of those infected by it!  And that in a nutshell is our problem.

 

It appears as if Hantavirus is an example of a threat we let slip by.  What we must now do is become aware of it without overreacting but nonetheless stop ignoring it!  Mice and rats should not be in our homes, kitchens, schools or factories, nor should they or their bi-products be handled, ingested or breathed . . . it’s that simple!  In the meantime, please note the practical tips on protection we list below.

 

1- Inspect your building for holes or spaces 1/4" or larger and have them sealed.

2- Install a program of “housekeeping” with the intent to deny rodents access to food, water and shelter.

3- If rodent droppings are discovered, clean them by first wetting them with a disinfectant solution, e.g., bleach in water with a spray bottle.  Wear protective rubber gloves.

4- Minimize handling dead rodents and their droppings.

5- Inspect the outside of buildings for vegetation or clutter - anything that would harbor or hide rodents.

6- See that pet food is not left outside and that bird feeders do not spill over onto the ground. Discourage any practice that as a bi-product encourages rodents onto your property.

7- Solicit and pay attention to environmental advice given to you by your pest management technician or health inspector.