The hantavirus is a rare but potentially very serious disease that affects a small number of people every year. It is carried in the bodily fluids of affected mice and rats including in their urine and droppings. The most common way of developing hantavirus is coming in contact with something that has been contaminated by rodent urine. Other cases may have developed when the person came in contact with a fairly large amount of droppings. Cleaning barns, attics or basements where mice have been can stir up dust which will carry the contaminant and can be breathed in with relative ease. If you have broken skin on your hands and touch something that is contaminated, you can be infected as well.The disease can quickly progress from a flu like illness to a serious, severe pulmonary disease. Nearly 40% of the people who are infected with hantavirus will die from it. That can include people who were relatively healthy before they were infected so it is important to practice prevention first and foremost and to take additional precautions if you even suspect you have been exposed to hantavirus or any other rodent borne illness. Thorough hand washing is only one of these important steps. Monitoring your health and watching for potential symptoms of this disease is another.
Remember, the hantavirus illness will look like the flu when it first appears. If flu-like symptoms appear after exposure it is important that you seek medical help.
Remember, the hantavirus illness will look like the flu when it first appears. If flu-like symptoms appear after exposure it is important that you seek medical help.