As summer approaches and people begin cleaning sheds, barns and other types of storage buildings, El Paso County Public Health urges residents to prevent potential exposure to Hantavirus by avoiding contact with rodents and inhaling dust that might be contaminated with rodent saliva, urine or droppings.Hantavirus is carried by rats and mice, and the peak season for people to become infected is May, June and July, making these summer months an important time to clean with caution.The highest numbers of Hantavirus infections have been associated with deer mice and historically occurred in New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona.When a person is infected with Hantavirus, some early symptoms include fever, chills, muscle pain and headache. The most common symptom of Hantavirus is difficulty breathing due to fluid buildup in the lungs. A persistent cough usually occurs within a few days after becoming ill. Hantavirus is a serious illness that can result in respiratory failure and even death. With high mortality and the lack of specific treatment, prevention is imperative.People entering rarely opened or seasonally closed buildings that have been occupied by mice and contain their excrement can be at risk. Sweeping contaminated droppings, for instance, may scatter infectious particles that can then be inhaled into the lungs or introduced into open wounds.Prevent mice from entering homes by sealing buildings and trapping rodents. If entering a rodent infested structure is unavoidable, the building should be ventilated for at least 30 minutes before cleaning. Reduce the airborne spread of particles by saturating rodent droppings or dust with a solution of bleach and allow it to sit for at least five minutes before cleaning with gloves and paper towels or mop; avoid sweeping or vacuuming.Tips for rodent-proofing your residence:Keep your home clean.Properly store or dispose of unused food, including pet food.Keep garbage cans tightly sealed.Fill all structural holes with wire screening, steel wool or cement.Set and maintain spring-loaded traps throughout the home ñ inside and outside.Clear the immediate area around your house. Remove all grass, scrub and garbage.Keep potential nesting sites (brush woodpiles, yard equipment, etc.) maintained and rodent-free.Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome cases in Colorado:2011 (to date) ñ 22010 ñ 52009 ñ 22008 ñ 62007 ñ 72006 ñ 62005 ñ 11For more information about Hantavirus, visit http://elpasocountyhealth.org.
