OFFICIALS FIND MORE MICE INFECTED WITH HANTAVIRUS.Byline: Kermit Pattison Daily News Staff Writer Two weeks after hantavirus hantavirus, any of a genus (Hantavirus) of single-stranded RNA viruses that are carried by rodents and transmitted to humans when they inhale vapors from contaminated rodent urine, saliva, or feces. There are many strains of hantavirus. was discovered in Simi Valley, health officials have found more mice carrying the potentially fatal disease in the Ventura County backcountry back·coun·try n. A sparsely inhabited rural region. . Health officials said Thursday they have found the virus among deer mice deer mice Peromyscus maniculatus Public health The murine vector for Hantavirus. See Hantavirus. in Wheeler Gorge Campground, Mount Pinos and Chuchupate Ranger Station in the Los Padres National Forest Los Padres National Forest is a forest located in southern and central California, which includes most of the mountainous land along the California coast from Ventura to Monterey, extending inland. Elevations range from sea level to 8,831 feet. . ``What we're trying to do is make people aware there is the potential of transmission,'' said Randy Smith, an environmental health specialist for Ventura County. ``Although it's very low, there is that potential. If they take precautions, they can make the risk even lower.'' Humans can contract the disease through direct contact with blood or saliva of mice or through airborne particles from dried feces and urine. The illness, called hantaviral pulmonary syndrome, begins with flu-like symptoms - fever, body aches, nausea and vomiting Nausea and Vomiting Definition Nausea is the sensation of being about to vomit. Vomiting, or emesis, is the expelling of undigested food through the mouth. - then causes respiratory problems as it worsens. The disease has infected 13 people in California since 1994, killing eight. There have been no human cases reported in Ventura County. Health officials recently discovered the virus in two of 21 mice tested from the foothills near Wood Ranch Parkway in Simi Valley. Earlier this week, health officials learned that blood samples taken from deer mice collected at three other sites also contained the virus. Smith said the state Department of Health Services Department of Health Services may refer to:
Smith said county health workers assumed the disease had spread to mice across the region. He said the county would test for the virus in other areas. PRECAUTIONS County health officials suggest the following precautions to avoid contracting hantavirus: Move woodpiles and other habitats that rodents find attractive away from buildings. Do not leave pet food out overnight. Spray disinfectant, such as a mixture of one part household bleach and nine parts water, on dead rodents and areas contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. with rodent feces and urine. Seal holes that can be used as passages for rodents. Use rubber gloves when handling dead rodents or droppings. Air out rodent-infested areas before cleaning. Avoid sweeping dry, dusty rodent droppings. Sweep moist, disinfected Disinfected Decreased the number of microorganisms on or in an object. Mentioned in: Isolation debris with a wet mop. CAPTION(S): Box Box: PRECAUTIONS (see text) |
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