A Western harvest mouse collected in a routine follow-up in open spaces along the Santee-San Diego border has tested positive for hantavirus, county environmental health officials reported this week.
County officials remind people that if they find rodents in their homes, garages, sheds, or cabins, they should never sweep or vacuum them later, but should use “wet cleaning” methods. to prevent the virus from breathing and getting sick. .
Hantavirus is not uncommon in San Diego County; it can cause fatal infections in people and there is no vaccine or cure. However, people are rarely exposed to hantavirus because the main carriers are wild rodents who prefer to live in freedom away from people.
People can be exposed to the hantavirus when wild rodents dump it in urine, feces, and saliva, the matter dries out and stirs in the air where people can breathe. By 2020, the county’s environmental health has collected 25 rodents that have tested positive for hantavirus.
County officials said wet cleaning methods include the use of bleach, disinfectants, rubber gloves and bags.
The following are tips to prevent users from being exposed to wild rodents and hantaviruses and how to use wet cleaning methods.
Avoid exposure to Hantavirus
- Seal all external holes in houses, garages and sheds larger than a dime to prevent rodents from entering.
- Remove rodent infestations immediately.
- Avoid rodent-infested areas and do not trace dust or materials that may be contaminated with rodent and urine feces.
- Clean rodent feces and urine using the wet cleaning method described below.
Use “wet cleaning” methods to prevent inhalation of the virus
- Do not sweep or vacuum infested areas.
- Ventilate the affected area by opening doors and windows for at least 30 minutes.
- Wear rubber gloves. Spray a 10% bleach solution or other disinfectant on dead rodents, rodent droppings, nests, contaminated traps, and surrounding areas, and let the disinfectant rest for at least 15 minutes before cleaning.
- Clean it with a sponge or mop that has been soaked in disinfectant.
- Place rodents and disinfected waste in two plastic bags, seal them and throw them in the trash.
- Wash the gloves in a bleach solution, then soap and water, and dispose of them with the same double-bag method.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
For more information, contact the County Department of Environmental Health (DEH) at (858) 694-2888 or visit DEH hantavirus website.