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Health Officials Warn Against Hantavirus

by KREX News Room
by Danielle Kreutter

Story Created: Apr 12, 2012 at 5:16 PM MDT

Story Updated: Apr 14, 2012 at 4:46 PM MDT

MESA COUNTY, Colo.- Two recent cases of hantavirus in Garfield and Delta counties have Mesa County health officials warning residents to avoid exposure as they begin spring cleaning projects.

Hantavirus is carried primarily by deer mice and attacks the heart and lungs. People are infected by inhaling airborne particles of the virus or by direct contact with the rodent or its excrement.

Cases are rare but authorities say they still want the community to take caution as there is a 38 percent mortality rate associated with the hantavirus.

Some precautions you can take are to open doors and windows to allow ventilation before cleaning, rodent proof your home by plugging holes and using traps or poison. Keeping the indoors clean, storing food properly and disposing of garbage in sealed containers are other ways to make your home uninviting to rodents.

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