Source: Fox News
Summary
Health experts are examining whether Americans may be encountering the hantavirus in everyday places without realizing it, amid the current outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. The rare Andes strain, linked to the outbreak, can spread from person to person through prolonged close contact. Most cases of hantavirus in the U.S. occur in the desert southwest and on the west coast. The virus is mainly spread through contact with infected rodents and their urine, droppings or saliva. People can become infected after breathing in contaminated particles or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their nose or mouth.
Our Reading
The advice sounds familiar.
Hantavirus guidance has been heard before, with health officials warning of the risks of exposure in everyday places, such as garages, sheds, and crawl spaces. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend wearing masks and using diluted bleach solutions to wet down dust and debris when cleaning structures that may have harbored rodents. The risk of inhalation is higher when opening buildings that have gone unused for longer periods of time. Rodent exposure is not limited to buildings, and people can also encounter hantavirus risk while handling firewood or working in rodent-prone outdoor areas.
It’s a reminder that the virus can be present in unexpected places, and precautions should be taken to prevent infection.
Author: Evan Null
