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Arizona man is diagnosed with Hantavirus, doc says
Independent Staff
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Avoiding Hantavirus
Early diagnosis and rapid transfer to a critical
care facility have been shown to reduce the fatality rate of Hantavirus
Pulmonary Syndrome. There is currently no vaccine or cure for the
infection, but the following steps can be taken to reduce the risk
of getting the disease:
AIR OUT: When entering buildings that have been closed up
for an extended amount of time, or infested with rodents, open doors
and allow the building to air out thoroughly for several hours before
entering. Avoid creating dust that could be inhaled.
CLEAN OUT: Use only wet cleaning methods to avoid creating
dust. If you need to clean rodent nests or droppings spray them
with a disinfectant such as chlorine bleach or a phenol-type spray
such as Lysol. Do not use a vacuum cleaner. Clothing or bedding
contaminated by rodents should be laundered.
SEAL OUT: Reduce rodent habitat in and around your home to
discourage rodents. Keep food, including pet food, in rodent-proof
containers. Keep woodpiles and other debris at least 100 feet from
your home. Seal up any opening into your home that is larger than
the size of a dime to keep rodents out.
TRAP OUT: Trap or use rodent bait to reduce the number of
rodents in and around your home. Use rubber gloves when handling
the trapped rodent. Disinfect the area, especially urine and droppings,
with a disinfectant that kills viruses.
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WINDOW ROCK — The first case of Hantavirus has been
identified on the Navajo Nation, Indian Health Service officials said
Wednesday.
"The first Hantavirus case of 2005 has been confirmed in the Arizona
portion of the Navajo Nation," said Dr. Douglas Peter, chief medical
officer of Navajo Area Indian Health Service. "A Native American
male from the Arizona portion of the Navajo Nation was diagnosed with
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, HPS, within the past week."
Hantavirus may occur at any time during the year, but most local cases
have occurred during the months of April through August.
"With the rainfall and moisture we have received in the area this
year, there may be an increase in the rodent population," Peter said.
"HPS can be prevented. Everyone is requested to be very careful and
avoid coming into contact with rodents, including mice, rodent droppings,
or rodent nests."
HPS is a severe viral disease carried by several species of rodents in
this area. The most common carrier is the deer mouse. Because different
local species of mice are difficult to tell apart, the best advice is
to avoid all rodents.
Hantavirus is transmitted by breathing dust that has saliva, urine or
feces of rodents. Rodent bites may also transmit the disease.
Local studies conducted during and since the 1993 outbreak of Hantavirus
in the Navajo Area have shown that contact with rodents and rodent droppings
place a person at greater risk of developing the disease.
Other high-risk activity includes entering and cleaning rodent-infested
rooms and spaces that have been closed up for extended period of times,
such as summer dwellings, storage buildings, abandoned cars, barns, or
sheds.
Early symptoms of Hantavirus are similar to influenza or the flu. Only
medical examinations and laboratory tests can tell the difference.
The disease rapidly progresses into a severe respiratory disease and has
proven fatal in many cases.
For more information, contact your local hospital, Environmental Health
Office, or Navajo Nation Health Education Office.
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Thursday
April 21, 2005
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