Woman Contracts Rodent-Spread Virus After Cleaning

Every spring, health experts warn people to take precautions when cleaning out sheds and other buildings that have been closed for the winter and may have been home to rodents. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently confirmed the first human case in the state this year of Sin Nombre hantavirus, WDIV-TV reports.

A woman from Washtenaw County, Michigan, was hospitalized and treated for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which is a rare and severe respiratory disease caused by some strains of hantavirus. She was likely exposed to the virus when cleaning a residential dwelling that was unoccupied for about two years and had an active rodent infestation, Susan Ringler-Cerniglia, a spokeswoman for the county health department, told the Detroit Free Press.

Hantavirus is spread through exposure to urine, feces, and saliva from rodents, especially deer mice and white-footed mice. The greatest risk is when entering and cleaning rodent-infected places without proper protection.

“Use rubber, latex, vinyl, or nitrile gloves when cleaning areas with rodent infestations, ventilate areas for at least 30 minutes before working, and make sure to wet areas thoroughly with a disinfectant or chlorine solution before cleaning,” said Dr. Juan Luis Marque, medical director with Washtenaw County Health Department.

Most cases of hantavirus occur during spring and summer. According to the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 728 reported cases of hantavirus from 1993-January 2017.

The hantaviruses are susceptible to most disinfectants like diluted chlorine solutions, detergents, and general household disinfectants. In cases of heavy rodent infestation, it is recommended to consult with a pest control professional.