Hantavirus

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Scaricaciottoli
  • 341st Medical Operations Squadron
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has confirmed two cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome for the state of Montana in 2013; one of these cases was fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control, HPS is a disease characterized by coughing, shortness of breath, fever, chills, myalgia (muscle pain), headache and gastrointestinal problems. Symptoms typically begin one to six weeks following exposure to the virus.

The illness is caused by a virus in rodents (e.g., deer mice) that is present in their feces, urine and saliva. When the excrement is stirred up, tiny aerosolized particles containing the virus become airborne. The transmittal of the virus is usually caused when humans breathe in air contaminated with the Hantavirus. People may also be infected with Hantavirus when these materials are directly introduced into broken skin, eyes or mouth.

According to the CDC, the best way to prevent HPS is to reduce human exposure to the carrier rodents by eliminating rodent food sources, sealing holes in the exterior of your home, using traps and cleaning up nesting sites. Precautions should be used when cleaning rodent droppings or an area where rodents may be nesting. Make sure to wear rubber or plastic gloves (an N95 mask will provide extra protection, but is not essential if these procedures are followed carefully). Thoroughly spray or soak an area with a mixture of bleach and water; this will prevent aerosolizing any dust. Wipe or mop the area with a sponge or paper towel and discard when done. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after removing the gloves. NEVER sweep or vacuum the area due to possibly suspending the infected material into the air where it could be inhaled.

Following these simple procedures will ensure HPS remains very rare in Montana. For more information on HPS, please visit the CDC HPS section at http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/index.html or call Public Health at 731-4405