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Michigan has confirmed its first case of human hantavirus Sin Nombre, the state health department said on Monday.
A Washtenaw County woman was recently hospitalized with severe hantavirus lung disease, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, which said the woman “was likely exposed while cleaning up. an unoccupied dwelling which contained evidence of an active rodent infestation “.
Hantavirus infections, associated with contact with infected rodents, have caused hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, or HPS, in the United States since 1993. According to the Department of Health, most cases of HPS are identified in adults, usually in spring and summer.
There are no documented cases of person-to-person transmission of hantavirus in the United States.
“HPS is caused by certain strains of hantavirus and is a rare but serious and sometimes fatal respiratory disease that can occur one to five weeks after a person has been exposed to fresh urine, feces or saliva. infected rodents, “MDHHS medical director and deputy health director Dr Joneigh Khaldun said in a statement. “Anyone who comes in contact with rodents carrying hantaviruses is at risk for HPS and healthcare providers with a suspected hantavirus case should contact their local health department to report the case and discuss testing options. of confirmation. “
Symptoms of HPS, which has a death rate of 40%, may initially include fever, chills, body aches, headache, and gastrointestinal signs including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, according to the health department. Symptoms may progress to a cough and shortness of breath.
“Humans are infected when freshly dried materials contaminated with rodent droppings are disturbed and inhaled, break skin or mucous membranes, or when they ingest contaminated food or water,” the ministry said. Health in a press release.
Rodent bites can also transmit hantavirus, according to the health ministry, which noted that “the highest risk of exposure occurs when entering or cleaning rodent infested structures.”
“We can prevent and reduce the risk of hantavirus infection by taking precautions and being aware of its possibility,” said Dr Juan Luis Marquez, medical director of the Washtenaw County health department. “Use rubber, latex, vinyl or nitrile gloves to clean rodent infested areas, ventilate areas for at least 30 minutes before working, and be sure to wet areas thoroughly with disinfectant or chlorine solution before. to clean. “
Several hantaviruses that can infect humans have been identified in the United States, each with a main rodent host.
“The most important hantavirus in the United States that causes HPS is the Sin Nombre virus, which is spread by deer and white-legged mice.”
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