Hantavirus strain found in Chelan County resident
The Chelan-Douglas Health District announced Friday that it confirmed a case of hantavirus in a Chelan County resident.
According to the health district, the strain found in Chelan County is the Sin Nombre Virus, which they say is not connected to the recent reports of Andes Virus associated with an outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
Health district officials believe the individual was exposed to the virus due to mice in or around their home.
The Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a respiratory disease caused by rodents or their droppings, urine, or saliva, the health district said in a news release. The virus can also spread through contaminated surfaces or rodent bites and scratches, though the strain found in the western U.S. does not spread person to person.
The World Health Organization is currently monitoring an outbreak of Andes virus, a rare hantavirus strain, linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship, with multiple confirmed cases and deaths reported across several countries as health officials continue contact tracing and response efforts, while stating the overall global risk remains low, according to the WHO website.
The Sin Nombre Virus is caused by Hantavirus-infected deer mice and their urine, saliva and droppings, and is not known for spreading from person to person.
"Hantavirus infections are rare, but they can be severe. Counties in north central Washington do see occasional cases. There are typically one to five cases of Sin Nombre virus Hantavirus per year in Washington residents, seen throughout the state," said Dr. James Wallace, the Public Health Officer for CDHD in a news release. "Taking simple precautions while cleaning or working in areas where rodents may be present can significantly reduce the risk of exposure."
Symptoms of the virus can appear one to eight weeks after exposure and often begin with flu-like signs such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, chills, dizziness, and stomach issues before progressing to coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
Because the illness can be severe and often requires hospitalization, anyone with symptoms after possible rodent exposure should seek medical care immediately, according to the health district.
The health district urges residents to prevent contact with rodents and to be cautious when cleaning areas that contain rodent droppings or nesting materials.
The following are some dos and don'ts from the health district when cleaning rodent droppings or nesting materials:
* Air out enclosed areas for at least 30 minutes before cleaning and wear protective gear such as gloves, respirators such as N-95 or P-100, goggles and disposable clothing.
* Disinfect rodent droppings and nesting materials before wiping them up and properly seal and dispose of contaminated waste.
* Seal holes around homes and outbuildings, store food in rodent-proof containers and use traps or pest control services if rodents are present.
* Set snap traps if there are signs of rodents and consult with pest control if there's a suspicion of infestation.
* Avoid sweeping or vacuuming rodent waste because it can spread contaminated particles into the air.
* Do not handle rodents with bare hands or stay in buildings with active infestations until they have been cleaned and ventilated properly.
For more information related to Hantavirus and safe cleanup tips, visit the health district website, or the Washington State Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
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