| Hantavirus
Pulmonary Syndrome |
 |
|
|
This information was initially summarized from
BC Ministry of Health and
Health
Canada. |
| General Information |
-
Hantaviruses are part of a group of
viruses called the Bunyaviridae.
Exposure to hantaviruses can cause a rare, but often fatal, disease
called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).
-
This rare disease was first
described in the southwestern United States in 1993. It is believed
that the virus has been present for a long
time, but was only just recently recognized.
-
The
earliest documented case of HPS in Canada virus was in
Alberta in 1989. Since then, there have been over 70 confirmed
cases. Most of the cases occurred in western Canada (Manitoba,
Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia), except for one case in
Quebec.
-
Hantavirus infections
contracted by Canadians outside the country have also been
recognized, including two fatal cases from South America.
-
In Canada, the
virus has
been found only in wild deer mice (Peromyscus
maniculatus).
|
| Signs and Symptoms |
-
The following flu-like
symptoms can result from Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) as
summarized by
Health Canada:
-
fever;
-
chills;
-
muscle aches;
-
headaches;
-
nausea;
-
stomach problems.
-
Symptoms can appear within 3 to 60 days after exposure;
however, the average time it takes for symptoms to appear is 14 to
30 days following exposure.
-
HPS is extremely serious since approximately 30-40% of
cases result in death, usually within a few days of the initial
symptoms appearing. Those who recover do so rapidly and regain full
function of their lungs, but long-term effects, such as fatigue, are
common.
-
HPS can progress rapidly into serious lung
complications and include the following symptoms:
-
abnormal fall in blood pressure;
-
lungs fill with fluid;
-
severe respiratory failure.
-
Humans are most often exposed to the virus
by breathing in airborne viral particles. Viral particles can often
become airborne after sweeping or vacuuming infected areas. It is
also possible to be exposed to the virus through rodent bites, if
the skin is broken, or through ingestion.
|
| Treatment and
Risk Reduction |
-
Although there is no specific treatment,
medication, or cure, many of the symptoms and complications of HPS
can be treated. Most patients are admitted to intensive care in a
hospital. Some patients may be given anti-viral drugs, and
intravenous fluids and other drugs to maintain blood pressure and
prevent shock.
-
All rodent droppings should be treated as potentially
harmful. The primary strategy for minimizing your risk is to ensure
rodent control in the home.
- There are things you can do to reduce your risk of being exposed:
-
keep mice out of your home. Block openings that
might allow rodents from entering;
-
store human and animal food, water and garbage in
containers with tight-fitting lids;
-
keep your yard clean, and store woodpiles above
the ground and away from the home;
-
when cleaning your home or other buildings, be
aware of animal droppings and nesting materials. If you find
any, clean them up safely;
-
do not sweep or vacuum rodent droppings; this
will release particles into the air where they can be inhaled.
-
How to properly handle and dispose of animal droppings:
-
wear rubber or plastic gloves;
-
spray droppings with a general purpose household
disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water (1 part bleach, 9
parts water);
-
make sure you get the droppings very wet. Let the
area soak for ten minutes;
-
use a paper towel to wipe up the droppings.
Dispose of the paper towel immediately;
-
wash gloves in disinfectant and hot soapy water
before removing them from your hands, and thoroughly wash your
hands after removing gloves;
-
when cleaning areas contaminated by droppings in
a confined space, consider wearing a high-efficiency particulate
air (HEPA) filtered respirator.
|
| Further Reading |
|
|
|
|
