The hantavirus is a virus that infects deer mice and some other wild rodents. It can be found in the urine, saliva, or droppings of these rodents (cotton rats, rice rats in the southeastern Unites States and the white-footed mouse and the red-backed vole). Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, an uncommon but serious lung condition, is brought on by it (HPS). Once the virus has left its host, it doesn't stay active for very long—less than a week in the open air and a few hours in direct sunlight.
How typical is the hantavirus?
In 1994, the hantavirus was first discovered in Canada. Researchers were able to conclusively establish that at least three other occurrences occurred before 1994, with the first case taking place in 1989, after reviewing older cases. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that since 1989, there have been 109 confirmed hantavirus cases and 27 fatalities in Canada (as of January 2015).
How can the hantavirus get inside of me?
Hantavirus infections can be acquired by inhaling respirable saliva or urine droplets or by breathing in the dust from infected rodent feces, particularly that of the deer mouse. Another way that contamination can spread is through broken skin, contaminated food, or water that has been consumed. There have been no reports of person-to-person transmission in North America. There have been a few cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in South America, which raises the possibility of person-to-person transmission. Though genetically different from those described in North America, the viruses isolated in South America.
What effects does hantavirus have on my health?
Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, both of which are common in North America, are the two main diseases brought on by hantaviruses (found mainly in Europe and Asia). Within 1 to 5 weeks of exposure, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome symptoms start to manifest. 2 to 4 weeks on average. The mortality rate for this illness is roughly 40%, making it a very serious condition. It starts out as a flu-like illness. A worker may suffer from a fever, chills, muscle pains, headaches, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, a rapid heartbeat, and digestive issues in the early stages. However, the illness advances quickly, causing irregular blood pressure drops in affected individuals as well as fluid buildup in their lungs. Within a few days of the early stage symptoms, there may be severe respiratory failure that results in mortality. Within one to two weeks of exposure, haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome symptoms start to manifest. Strong headaches, back and stomach aches, fever, chills, nausea, impaired vision, and other symptoms including flushed face, swollen or red eyes, rash, and low blood pressure may also be present.
How is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome treated?
Hantavirus infection does not have a specific vaccination, treatment, or cure, but early detection and medical attention in an intensive care unit can aid in recovery. It's possible to administer oxygen therapy and medications for pain and fever to infected persons.
Which professions are in danger?
The following activities have been linked to cases of hantavirus infection in Canada and the US: cleaning a barn and other ranch structures. capturing and researching mice. removing leftover wood from a sawmill by dry sweeping and compressed air. handling grain that has been tainted by urine and mouse droppings. entering a mouse-infested barn. field crop planting and harvesting. settling into previously empty homes. hikers or campers disturbing rodent-infested areas. living in a home where there is a significant indoor rodent population. Employers must abide by the occupational health and safety laws in their jurisdiction for employees who may be exposed to rodents while performing their regular activities. In order to eliminate or significantly minimize the risk and hazard of hantavirus in the workplace, businesses are typically required to create and implement an exposure management strategy.
How can hantavirus exposure be avoided?
Use heavy plastic or metal containers with tight-fitting lids to store food (including pet food), water, and rubbish in an effort to lessen the presence of mice and prevent contact with their excrement. repairing any holes in buildings where mice might get in. removing dense bush, and maintaining short grass. Wood piles should not be near a building. When removing rat droppings, handling dead rodents, or handling other items, wear rubber or plastic gloves. Before removing the gloves after use, wash them in soapy water. After taking off the gloves, wash your hands with soap and water once again. placing traps as required. Rodents should be placed in a plastic bag, sealed, and thrown away. Since inhaling contaminated material is how human infection happens, cleanup processes must be carried out in a way that minimizes the amount of airborne dust. Consider every mouse and its droppings to be potentially infectious. Before beginning any activity, ventilate the area by opening the doors and windows. Continue to ventilate the area while cleaning and for a while after re-entering. Contact a competent ventilation specialist or a professional rodent exterminating agency if there is cause to believe that rodents have access to heating and cooling ventilation systems. Wearing disposable N95 respirators, rubber boots, neoprene, nitrile, or latex-free gloves, as well as disposable protective clothes and gloves when performing general clean-up tasks where there is not a significant accumulation of droppings is recommended. Use powered air-purifying (PARP) or air-supplied respirators with P100 filters and eye or face protection when cleaning up rodent-infested areas with significant accumulations of droppings to prevent contact with any aerosols. It is recommended to thoroughly soak dead mice, nests, and droppings in a solution of 1 part sodium hypochlorite (home bleach) to 10 parts water or another household disinfectant. Follow safe work procedures when working with bleach , or the manufacturer’s instructions or safety data sheets when using disinfecting products. Allow the solution or disinfectant to soak on the droppings, nest, or dead mice for around 5 minutes before beginning cleaning. These disinfectants kill the virus and reduce the chance of further transmission. Clean with disposable mops or towels. Launder or steam clean objects made of cloth, such as furniture, carpets, clothes, bedding, toys, etc. Do not use a vacuum or sweep in a way that may create an airborne dust. Ultraviolent rays in sunlight will also inactivate hantaviruses. For books, papers and other non-washable items that cannot be cleaned or thrown away, place the object in sunlight for several hours, or in an area free of rodents for approximately a week. After that time, the virus should no longer be infectious. Wear gloves and wipe the items with a cloth moistened with disinfectant. The contaminated material should be placed in a plastic bag and sealed for disposal. Disinfect reusable personal protective equipment by wet-wiping all respirator surfaces, gloves, rubber boots and goggles with disinfectant. All disposable protective clothing, gloves and respirators should be placed in plastic bags and sealed for disposal. Please contact your local environmental authorities about approved disposal methods. Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water after removing the gloves.
Where can I get more information?
For more details on risk assessment and precautions for specific situations not clearly addressed by existing guidelines, contact specific agencies responsible for such detailed information, for example, your local public health office. Hantavirus. Public Health Agency of Canada Hantavirus. US Centers for Disease Control A Hantavirus Exposure Control Program for Employers and Workers. Worksafe BC""" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/
