[BREAKING] Hantavirus First Death of 2020: Nevada Man in 20s Dies Due to Rodent Droppings

Wanshoe County in Nevada announced having its first death of pulmonary virus, Hantavirus, for the year 2020. A male man in his 20s reportedly got the virus through being exposed to rodent droppings and similar substances. 

What is a Hantavirus? Should you also be worried about it?

Everything you should know about Hantavirus

According to the news released by Fox Las Vegas local channel, hantavirus cases are no longer new in Wanshoe, Nevada. 

In fact, this was already the third time that someone died in Wanshoe-- with the first case happening in May 2019, due to the same disease. Estimatedly, 38% of people with positive Hantavirus caused them fatal death. 

"We are saddened to report this death due to hantavirus," said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer for Washoe County Health District. "While rare, this disease is very serious and a reminder for other residents to be very careful in areas where rodents, especially deer mice, are active. Our thoughts go out to the family of this resident."

Wanshoe officials didn't confirm where the victim was exposed of rodent droppings, or what's the actual type of Hantavirus he acquired. 

However, they said that Hantavirus could be found in workplaces or areas where mouse droppings, urine, or saliva may have collected or when cleaning up rodent droppings or nesting material. 

Hikers and campers in the area may have the highest probability of acquiring the disease since those people were normally outside, as told by the local government. 

Where can you acquire Hantavirus?

Hantavirus, according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this type of viruses is composed of family of viruses spread mainly by rodents and can cause varied disease syndromes in people worldwide. 

In the United States, this disease is commonly called as "New World" hantaviruses and may cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). 

"Each hantavirus serotype has a specific rodent host species and is spread to people via aerosolized virus that is shed in urine, feces, and saliva, and less frequently by a bite from an infected host. The most important hantavirus in the United States that can cause HPS is the Sin Nombre virus, spread by the deer mouse," says CDC. 

What to do to prevent having Hantavirus?

There are many ways to do to become less exposed in having Hantavirus. Here are some of the guidelines, released by the Wanshoe county. 

• Do not sweep or vacuum area with urine, droppings, or nesting material.
• Wear gloves (i.e., latex, vinyl, rubber) and a face mask to avoid touching or breathing in viral particles.
• Identify areas where mice are getting in and set traps.
• A solution of 1-part bleach to 10 parts water should be used when cleaning urine and/or droppings. Let it set for 5 minutes before cleaning the area.
• Identify and plug openings that may allow rodents entry. A deer mouse can fit through an opening the size of a nickel. Plug holes using steel wool and put caulk around the steel wool to keep in in place.

Just like Coronavirus, it is advisable for everyone to stay clean as always as possible. 

RELATED ARTICLE: This is How COVID-19 Affects Multiple-Organs in a Mice

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