Health Department: How To Protect Yourself From Hantavirus

After health officials confirmed died after coming down with a case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, they are advising residents to take precautions to prevent potential infection from the rare rodent-borne virus.

Still, spokesman State Department of Health Peter Constantakes said there is no need to be alarmed.

The State Department of Health, Suffolk County Health Department and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are continuing to investigate the incident, a statement said. "But at this time, it appears to be an isolated case," it reads.

"HPS is an infection of the lungs caused by several different hantaviruses, a microbe that may be present in the urine, droppings or saliva of infected rodents," the statement said. Humans can become infected if they inhale particles from the droppings or urine of infected rodents.

The health department will visit the Hartstein home in Montauk to look for evidence of mice droppings or urine and to try and trap a mouse to test for the virus. "We want to make sure it is not an a new strain," Constantakes said.

The first human hantavirus infections were diagnosed in the southwest in 1993. There were two hantavirus related deaths connected to the East End in 1994 and 1995. The last death in New York was in 1999.

In 2011, the CDC has reported six confirmed cases nationwide. In 2010 and 2009, there were 20 each year.

Symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, coughing, and headache, which may appear between one and five weeks after exposure to the virus, according to health officials. "Respiratory problems can worsen after several days, and the lungs may fill up with fluids, potentially causing respiratory failure or shock," they said.

There are no known cases of human-to-human transmission.

The state department outlined the following preventative measures:

• The best prevention is to avoid contact with rodent dropping or urine.
• Take measures to prevent rodent infestation of the home. Get an exterminator. Suffolk County residents can call the county Department of Health Services at 631-852-5900. More information is available about infestations on at the CDC website. 
• When using "snap traps" to catch mice, set these traps in an empty container such as a milk carton lying on its side or a newspaper, to prevent contact with potentially infected materials.
• A used trap and the container or newspaper, as well as the rodent, should be thoroughly wet down with a household disinfectant solution (detergent, plus 1 ½ cups of bleach per gallon of water) and placed in a double plastic bag for disposal. After disposal, wash hands with soap and water. Snap traps are better than using glue traps or poison.
• Properly store food and other potential rodent food sources. 
• If a large amount of rodent droppings are found, air out the home before re-entering. Debris should be wet down with a household disinfectant solution to reduce airborne dust.
• Do not use a vacuum cleaner or broom to clean up the droppings. Gloves, a dust mask, long-sleeved clothing and protective eyewear are also recommended to prevent exposure. Always wash hands with soap and water once the cleanup is complete.

"People who are ill should consult their health care provider immediately," the health department said.