First, it is important to determine if you have possibly been exposed. Deer mice are the primary carriers of hantavirus; the hantavirus spores are in their urine. Their feces and urine mix with dust, and when the dust is inhaled, humans could contract the disease. Certainly respirators (NOT dust masks) would help reduce dust inhalation, but most people will not have them. Thoroughly dampen the area to be cleaned before sweeping or disturbing the dust.
Everyone who works in areas where deer mice are found should know the symptoms of hantavirus. Knowing the symptoms and advising your doctor you have been working in a dusty, deer mouse area might be one of the best ways of coping with the disease. Symptoms appear one to six weeks after exposure. People who contract the virus experience flu-like symptoms including:
• fever (usually ranging from 101° to 104°F) that does not respond to medication
•muscle and body aches
• chills
• cough (usually dry)
• nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• fatigue
These symptoms typically last from a few hours to several days. Anybody experiencing these symptoms should seek medical care immediately. Information about the possibility of the person's exposure to rodents, if known, should be communicated to the health-care provider.
Resources (online):
Wildlife Disease Information
