Bellingham resident diagnosed with hantavirus

ANNA WALTERS

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BELLINGHAM - A local resident was hospitalized recently for what was likely hantavirus, the second reported case of the disease in Whatcom County since 2006.

Those infected with hantavirus experience flu-like symptoms, and in serious cases, can die.

The rare virus spreads through contact with the saliva, urine and droppings of the common deer mouse and other rodents.

The Bellingham patient has been discharged from the hospital and is home recovering, according to the Whatcom County Health Department. Test results confirming hantavirus are pending.

The Health Department is investigating where the person was exposed to the virus. It apparently happened locally.

People usually contract the virus by inhaling dust contaminated by mice.

Of the 34 cases of hantavirus reported in Washington state between 1994 and 2007, 11 were fatal. That includes Whatcom County's last case. Sara M. Shields-Priddy, 44, who lived north of Lynden, died in March 2006 from it. She had been in a storage area that had rodent droppings, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.

This was the first case reported in the state in 2008.

To prevent catching hantavirus, people cleaning enclosed areas should allow rodent-infested areas to air out for at least a half an hour before cleaning, according to the health department.

Latex gloves and a dust mask also should be worn, and instead of sweeping or vacuuming, the area should be sprayed with a bleach solution and then wiped up using wet rags or sponges.

For more information about hantavirus and how to prevent getting it, go to www.cdc.gov and click on Diseases and Conditions. From the A to Z index, select H, then click on Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Links to various information are on the right.

Reach Anna Walters at anna.walters@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2220.