Hantavirus detected at Lake Wenatchee camp

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7/28/2010 11:53:00 AM

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Hantavirus detected at Lake Wenatchee camp

Ian Dunn
Editor

It is rare but always out there, and we really aren't reminded it's there until it shows up in our neighborhood. Hantavirus is a rare disease, but nonetheless worldwide. Attention in this area was raised recently when a Lake Wenatchee camper came down with the sometimes deadly virus.

The campers were from out of the area, so it is not known whether they brought the virus with them or contracted it here. Hantavirus is carried by rodents, like rats and mice. It is transmitted to humans through inhaling the urine or feces of the rodents, which normally comes through sweeping through an area, stirring up the infected dust.

"The campers saw mice at the campground, and saw droppings in their camper," said Mary Small, Chelan-Douglas Health District public information officer. "They improperly disposed of the droppings in the camper."

Even though the virus may have come from out of the area, Small wants to sound the alarm to local residents to take precautions to avoid exposure to the virus.

"We want to caution people cleaning up the camper, tent, shed, barn or house," she said. "If they find any rodent droppings, take precautions."

For obviously contaminated areas, where droppings are visible, it is recommended you thoroughly wet the area with a bleach solution (1 1/2 cups of bleach to a gallon of water). Once everything has soaked for 10 minutes, remove all the nest material, mice or dropping with a damp towel and then mop with the bleach solution.

You should try to avoid coming into contact with rodents or their burrows. Try to locate your tent away from rodent droppings or burrows, and avoid sleeping on bare ground.

Make sure to air out the cabin, and check for signs of rodent infestation before sweeping. Spray a bleach solution on the area before cleaning to disinfect and suppress the dust. Using rubber, latex or vinyl gloves, wipe the area clean while it is damp, rather than stirring up the dust vacuuming or sweeping.

"If you find rodents, don't pick them up with your bare hand," she said. "Put them in a plastic bag and seal it. Then make sure to wash your hands. You don't want to let mice into your home."

You also should steam clean or shampoo an furniture showing rodent exposure. And remember to keep all food in rodent proof containers.

The early symptoms of hantavirus are flu-like, she said, fever, chills and muscle aches.

"It can be deadly, but it depends on the amount of exposure, their immune system and their age," she said. "You need to inform doctors if you have been exposed to mice and are having flu-like symptoms."

Small wants to emphasize the disease is very rare. There are only a few cases in the state each year.

After a case was reported in the area, Small said they wanted to get the word out on hantavirus.

"It is just a reminder to people that this exists and to take precautions," she said. "And it's not just for campers. It's really for everyone. We all have sheds, barns, and campers. It is really for any exposure."

Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.

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