Attracted by the shelter from weather and a relative abundance of food, rodents settle in and around our homes; some may be carrying a hantavirus. There are several forms of hantavirus, but those in North America will be addressed. A challenge arises when these rodents leave droppings in places that can then mix with dust and be breathed in by people or enter the body through broken skin or mucous membranes. Many who are exposed live in rural areas. Since 1993, 850 people in the United States have been infected with hantavirus, and 821 of them went on to develop a serious condition, hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HPS). In total, 35% of hantavirus patients in the U.S. died from the infection. Among those who survive a severe case of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome, damage from the condition may lead to long-term health conditions requiring a substantial recovery time.
Signs of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome include, but are not limited to:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches (thighs, back, hips, shoulders)
- Inadequately performing heart and/or lungs, including shortness of breath
- Abnormal white blood cell values
Preventive measures for hantavirus include:
- Awareness of rodents that may be living in buildings
- Sealing holes where mice can enter a building
- Buildings that are not often used should be opened and aired out before entering
- Cautious cleaning techniques near mouse nesting sites, which includes using latex gloves and soaking nests with bleach water to reduce likelihood of breathing in viral particles.
Resources
Image Source: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/surveillance/index.html
Hjelle, B. (n.d.-a). Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Hantavirus Infections. Retrieved October 3, 2023, from https://www-uptodate-com.libux.utmb.edu/contents/epidemiology-and-diagnosis-of-hantavirus-infections/print?search=hantavirus&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~37&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
Hjelle, B. (n.d.-b). Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome. Retrieved October 3, 2023, from https://www-uptodate-com.libux.utmb.edu/contents/hantavirus-cardiopulmonary-syndrome?search=hantavirus&topicRef=8307&source=see_link#H2
Reported Cases of Hantavirus Disease. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/surveillance/index.html
Jason Johnson is a doctoral student and graduate assistant
in the School of Public and Population Health. His current research focuses on
ethnic disparities in functional outcomes for Mexican American older adults.
Following graduation, Jason plans to transition to a fellowship or position
focused on infectious disease epidemiology and health systems emergency
preparedness.