Protect your family from the Hantavirus

Hantavirus is a virus that can cause a rare but very serious lung disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS).

Hantavirus is carried in the airborne particles of rodent urine, droppings or saliva. The best protection against the virus is to prevent all rodents from entering your home and to carefully clean and disinfect where they have been.

Know the symptoms of the infection and practice the following simple prevention procedures, especially if you are cleaning outbuildings, moving into unoccupied homes or working in crawl spaces of buildings where rodents might be found.

Outside Control

Encourage natural predators such as cats, coyotes, snakes and hawks to help keep rodent population down. Elevate woodpiles, garbage cans and hay and locate them 100 feet (30 m) from the house. Store animal feed in containers with a lid. Haul away old cars, tires and junk in the yard. Be careful not to breathe the dust when entering storage areas where rodents may live.

Prevent Entry

Rodents can enter your home through holes as small as a shirt button. Seal holes with steel wool or cement and clear bush and grass around the foundation.

Keep Clean

Wash dishes and clean kitchen counters and floors immediately after cooking. Put pet food and water away for the night. Store all food and garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids.

Disinfect

Trap and destroy rodents before cleaning areas where rodents have been. Spray with disinfectant (one part bleach to 10 parts of water) to reduce dust and wear rubber gloves. Do not vacuum or dry sweep. Discard gloves and rodent droppings in a sealed bag, and reseal in a second bag. Bury, burn or dispose of in a tightly covered trash can.

Be sure to wash your hands with hot soapy water. Clothing and linens can be washed with hot water and detergent.

Symptoms

If you have a Hantavirus infection, you may feel like you have the flu. If any combinations of these symptoms appear, contact your family doctor.

Fever 101°F to 104°F (38.3°C to 40°C)
Body aches
Chills
Troubled breathing

The primary carrier of the Hantavirus is the Deer Mouse. It is four to nine inches (10 to 22 cm) in length from head to tail. Its colour ranges from pale gray to reddish brown, and has white fur on its belly, feet and underside of tail. Other rodents that may carry Hantavirus include squirrels, rats, chipmunks; however, all rodents should be treated as if they might carry the virus.