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GILLETTE, Wyo. — With spring cleaning season well underway, the Wyoming Department of Health is asking residents to remain cautious about a rare, but deadly, rodent-borne virus.
Per the WDH, hantavirus is a potentially deadly disease spread by infected deer mice, which frequent cabins, sheds, garages, old vehicles and other outbuildings typically closed during the winter months. Residents should be aware of the risks and practice safe rodent cleanup.
“People can catch hantavirus through the dropping, urine, or saliva of infected mice,” said Courtney Tillman, WDH infectious disease epidemiologist. “People breathe in the virus when dust is stirred up, making cleaning activities such as sweeping and vacuuming particularly risky where there are signs of mice. It’s important to know how to clean up rodent-infested areas to avoid exposure to hantavirus.”
According to the WDH, hantavirus symptoms include tiredness, fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, and coughing. If these symptoms appear after a potential rodent exposure, the department says to contact a healthcare provider quickly.
“While there is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection, those infected receive supportive care such as hydration and other symptom treatment,” the WDH says. “Experts estimate about 38 percent of people who develop respiratory symptoms will die from the infection.”
To safely clean areas where rodents may have been, open the doors and windows for at least 30 minutes before starting to clean. Avoid sweeping and vacuuming, wear protective gloves and a well-fitting N95 respirator. Spray droppings and contaminated areas with a bleach solution or other household disinfectant, either of which should be left to soak for five minutes, per the WDH.
Additionally, use paper towels to pick up droppings, which should be disposed of in a sealed plastic bag. All surfaces should be disinfected again after removing droppings, and anyone who handles rodent waste should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water when finished.
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