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2 cases of Hantavirus diagnosed
By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau
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. |
WINDOW ROCK — Only four months into the year, there
have already been two confirmed cases of Hantavirus on the Navajo Nation,
and two in Maricopa County.
"Four cases this early on in the year is of concern," said Herman
Shorty, Program Manager for the Navajo Nation Office of Environmental
Health. Shorty said all four persons diagnosed with the virus either lived
or worked in rural areas. Last year, the first confirmed case in Arizona
did not occur until the week of April 21st.
Shorty said that the reason for such the high numbers is because this
past winter has not been as cold as previous winters, allowing a large
population of rodents to survive.
"You have less of a die off on the rodent population," said
Shorty. Hantavirus may occur at any time during the year, but most local
cases in the past have occurred during the months of April through August.
"We're encouraging people to air out, trap out, seal out (their residential
areas) because people are going to be moving back into summer homes now,"
said Shorty. Shorty said that educational campaigns need to be accelerated
even more.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, HPS, is a severe viral disease carried
by several species of rodents in the 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.
Since the 1993 outbreak of Hantavirus on the Navajo Nation, local studies
conducted since and during 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 periods of times,
such as summer dwellings, storage buildings, abandoned cars, barns, or
sheds. Early symptoms of Hantavirus are similar to influenza. The disease
rapidly progresses into a severe respiratory disease and has proven fatal
in many cases.
Although bird flu is a pandemic that is expected to hit soon, the nation
is still working towards continuous education for Hantavirus prevention
education, and West Nile Virus, which is also expected to fluctuate with
the change of seasons.
"They should still take it seriously," said Shorty.
For more information, contact your local hospital, Environmental Health
Office, or Navajo Nation Health Education Office.
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Weekend
April 15, 2006
Selected Stories:
Gunman robs Ellis Tanners
2 cases of Hantavirus diagnosed
Cibola celebrating 25 years as a county
Gallup, Grants invite film industry to
make movies here
Spiritual Perspectives: Listening to
the 'Inner Light'
Deaths
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