Dr. Shelley Buchan

A recent death linked to Hantavirus has sparked the Southern Regional Health Authority to put out a plea.

Dr. Shelley Buchan, Medical Officer of Health asks residents to take steps to prevent exposure. She says Hantavirus is a very rare disease that can happen when people inhale dust that contains droppings from infected deer mice.

"In spite of how frequent people are in contact with mice all the time, the vile transmission between deer mice and people is very rare," says Dr. Buchan. "That's very important for people to remember. This is a very rare disease." There have been four lab-confirmed cases of Hantavirus in Manitoba since 1999, including a recent death from complications.

According to Manitoba Health, Hantavirus infection usually occurs when people are working in an enclosed space and breathe in the air-borne virus. Early symptoms of Hantavirus infection include fever and muscle aches, possibly with chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cough, which progresses to respiratory illness. These symptoms develop within one to six weeks after exposure to deer mouse excreta.

"There is no easy treatment, there's no easy way to diagnose if someone has this in early stages," says Dr. Buchan. "The best way is to use common sense to prevent exposure in the first place." She suggests rodent-proofing houses and cottages. And if you are in an area where mice have been, Dr. Buchan says you need to clean that up.

Manitoba Health says the best defence against Hantavirus is to avoid disturbing areas of rodent infestation including nests and droppings. Other recommended precautions include:

* sealing up homes and cabins so mice can't enter;

* airing out enclosed areas or closed-up buildings as much as possible before entering;

* wearing gloves and appropriate masks when cleaning up nests, droppings and areas that may be contaminated with the virus;

* dampening areas contaminated with mouse droppings with bleach disinfectant and removing droppings with a damp mop or cloth to reduce the chance the virus may become airborne (not vacuuming or sweeping);

* ensuring hand washing takes place after cleanup is complete;

* putting hay, wood and compost piles as far as possible from homes;

* cleaning up trash and junk piles; and

* not leaving pet food and water where mice can get to it.

Dr. Buchan notes because it's a viral disease, antibiotics are not helpful and so recovery requires intensive treatment, often in an intensive care unit.