2008 Woodie Awards
Mice population spreads Hantavirus Concern
Jason Rose
Issue date: 8/31/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Uncommon and most deadly, the Hantavirus claims a third of the lives that it infects each year. This deadly disease may be rare but is still cause for concern for anyone to living in Southwest Kansas.
Predictions for 2006 show an increase in the Deer Mice population due to uncommon moisture two winter seasons ago.
For anyone living in rural areas, this means be on the look out for fuzzy rodents. How do you tell a house mouse from a deer mouse? According to Whitney Whitehill, Finney County Extensions Office, the common "house mouse" is fairly gray in color. However, a deer mouse will exhibit a brown fur color with white strips across its belly. The virus is spread through airborne particles and is virtually undetectable. For anyone working around mouse inhabited areas it is strongly suggested you work with the proper equipment.
"Facial protection and gloves are a must when cleaning infested areas," Whitehill said. "Open window and doors for ventilation and be cautious when disposing of rodents."
The disease has never been documented as a human-to-human case in America.
People working around inhabited areas should document his or her work in case of symptoms developing. This will help a physician diagnose the case to be Hantavirus related. If a person experiences symptoms of fever, chills, weakness, muscle aches, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, lightheadedness, vomiting and diarrhea he or she should seek medical treatment immediately.
For more information on the Hantavirus or safety precautions contact the Finney County Extensions office at 620-272-3670.
"We have protective masks for sale and information for anyone interested in this topic," Whitehill said.
Predictions for 2006 show an increase in the Deer Mice population due to uncommon moisture two winter seasons ago.
For anyone living in rural areas, this means be on the look out for fuzzy rodents. How do you tell a house mouse from a deer mouse? According to Whitney Whitehill, Finney County Extensions Office, the common "house mouse" is fairly gray in color. However, a deer mouse will exhibit a brown fur color with white strips across its belly. The virus is spread through airborne particles and is virtually undetectable. For anyone working around mouse inhabited areas it is strongly suggested you work with the proper equipment.
"Facial protection and gloves are a must when cleaning infested areas," Whitehill said. "Open window and doors for ventilation and be cautious when disposing of rodents."
The disease has never been documented as a human-to-human case in America.
People working around inhabited areas should document his or her work in case of symptoms developing. This will help a physician diagnose the case to be Hantavirus related. If a person experiences symptoms of fever, chills, weakness, muscle aches, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, lightheadedness, vomiting and diarrhea he or she should seek medical treatment immediately.
For more information on the Hantavirus or safety precautions contact the Finney County Extensions office at 620-272-3670.
"We have protective masks for sale and information for anyone interested in this topic," Whitehill said.
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