PROVO, Utah, Aug. 9, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — A Utah County woman has died after being infected with the hantavirus.
Privacy regulations prevent the release of identifying information, but a news release from the Utah County Health Department on Tuesday indicates the victim was between ages 18 and 44, and had no other health issues.
In Utah, this is the second death this year related to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, and the tenth case since 2006, according to the department.
Hantavirus is transmitted by infected rodents through droppings, urine or saliva. The most common way people get the virus is by breathing contaminated air. It also can be transmitted through a rodent bite, or by eating food contaminated with the feces, urine or saliva of infected rodents.
Symptoms of the virus include fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, especially in large muscle groups. Headaches, dizziness, chills and digestive problems are common. Four to 10 days after the first phase of the illness, lungs begin to fill with fluid, and coughing and shortness of breath result.
The virus causes death in more than a third of cases, but those who recover typically suffer no lasting effects.
To prevent hantavirus, “Seal Up, Trap Up and Clean Up” by following these important steps:
- Trap mice until they all are gone
- Clean up nests and droppings using a disinfectant
- Don’t sweep up rodent droppings into the air where they can be inhaled
- Put hay, wood, and compost piles as far as possible from your home
- Get rid of trash and junk piles
- Don’t leave your pet’s food and water where mice can get to it
If you do notice a rodent problem and want to prevent infestations, there are several steps you can take:
- Seal holes inside and outside the home
- Trap rodents around the home
- Clean up rodent food sources and nesting sites by tightly storing all food, pet food, trash, and animal feed
- Get rid of possible nesting sites outside the home by moving woodpiles far from the house, keeping grass and shrubbery well-trimmed
- Elevate hay and trash at least a foot off the ground
To properly clean up after rodents, trap all live rodents and seal entryways. After one week of trapping, if no additional rodents are captured, enough time has passed that the urine/droppings or nesting material is no longer infectious. When cleaning:
- Wear gloves to clean urine/droppings and soak the droppings with bleach before picking up with paper towel
- Clean and disinfect the whole area
- For heavy infestations, use gloves, goggles, protective clothing, and a respirator
For more information, click this link.
