Second resident of Washoe County to contract the death of hantavirus | Carson City Nevada News

RENO – A second resident of Washoe County has contracted hantavirus and died, the Washoe County Health District announced Monday. This is the second fatal case of hantavirus since 2017 and highlights the seriousness of this disease.

"Although the hantavirus is extremely rare, the disease can be fatal if at all," said Dr. Randall Todd, director of the Epidemiology and Public Health Preparedness Division of the Washoe County Health District. On average, 38% of hantavirus cases are fatal.

Infected rodents, most commonly deer mice, excrete the virus in their excrement, urine and saliva. Hantavirus is mainly transmitted to people who breathe air contaminated by the virus.

It can also be transmitted if a person touches something contaminated with excrement, urine or saliva, then touches his nose or mouth.

This usually happens when you are working or recreating in areas where mouse droppings, urine or saliva may have accumulated or when cleaning up rodent feces or nesting material. Hikers and campers may be at higher risk if they are in areas frequently infested with rodents, such as old huts, stables and barns. Scientists also suspect that people can get sick if they eat food contaminated with feces, urine or saliva from an infected rodent.

The District of Health urges everyone to take precautions when entering areas where mice may have been, such as storage areas, garages, sheds, cabins and barns. Since it is unclear whether a rodent is carrying hantavirus, it is best to avoid mice and wild rats and to safely clean the urine, feces or nests of rodents in your home.

The following are specific recommendations to follow when cleaning in areas where rodents are active:

– Do not sweep or vacuum the area with urine, excrement or nesting material.

– Use a solution containing 1 part bleach and 10 parts water to clean urine and / or faeces. Let stand for 5 minutes before cleaning the area.

– Wear gloves (latex, vinyl, rubber) and a face mask to avoid touching or breathing the virus particles.

– Identify areas where mice enter and install traps.

– Identify and plug the openings that can allow the entry of rodents. A deer mouse can pass through an opening the size of a nickel. Plug the holes with steel wool and put caulk around the steel wool to hold it in place.

Go here for more information on the hantavirus.