CritterChatter™ Blog
Hantavirus
| Description | Deadly disease from rodent bites or ingesting their excrement |
|---|---|
| Location | Worldwide |
| Cause | Rodent excrement and contaminated food |
| Symptoms | Ferbile illnesses (fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, lower back pain) with kidney, blood or respiratory ailments, sometimes fatal |
| Treatment | Seek medical attention from a physician |
| Prevention | Wear surgical gloves and masks when handling rodents. Campsites and cabins should properly dispose of mice and rodents before they are occupied. Spray premises with detergents or diluted bleach before thorough cleaning. Avoid dry sweeping and vacuuming the infected area as airborne particles could be produced. |
| Handling Animals | Infected animals shed virus in their urine, feces and saliva and can be chronically infected. |
| Other Facts | A possible new hantavirus was discovered in 1983 with the first cases reported in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. A deer mouse may have infected the people. |
