Zoonotic Diseases & Rodents

A zoonotic disease is a disease that can be passed from animals to humans. It is important to remember that the best way to protect yourself is to practice good hygiene.

Hantavirus

Hantavirus cases are rare in this country, but, since 1993, there have been 16 cases in Oregon, including a fatality in March 2011.

This disease, carried primarily by deer mice, can be deadly if not diagnosed quickly. The illness begins with nonspecific flu-like symptoms of low-grade fever, aches and pains.

Hantavirus is carried by mice who are not sick, but who excrete the virus in urine, feces, and saliva. The most common human exposure to Hantavirus occurs during the cleaning of and working in spaces that have been inhabited by mice: garages, sheds, barns and crawl spaces. The virus particles dry and then become airborne when the debris is swept or vacuumed. Breathing this dust is the most common route of infection. It can take from 1 to 4 weeks after exposure to the virus before symptoms start.

The Hantavirus is not spread from person-to-person, nor is it spread among domesticated animals, nor from domesticated animals to humans. It is spread via the particle transmission described above.

Consider the following preventive steps before cleaning out possible rodent-infested areas:

• Do not sweep, brush or vacuum which will stir up dust.
• Protect yourself by wearing a particulate respirator face mask and use rubber, latex, vinyl, or nitrile disposable gloves.
• Spray the droppings or nests with a bleach solution or household disinfectant. (Mix 1 1/2 cups of household bleach in 1 gallon of water.) Leave solution on area for about 10 minutes. Once everything is wet, wipe up the debris with a damp paper towel, and then mop the area with the bleach solution.
• Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water (or waterless alcohol-based hand cleaners when soap and water is not available).
• Seal all refuse in double plastic bags, and dispose of this, and personal protection equipment, in an appropriate waste disposal system.

For more information, visit the Oregon Public Health Division Web site.

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