Hantavirus Infection Prevention

Though hantavirus infection may be quite deadly, preventive measures can significantly lower its occurrence.

Hantavirus infection in humans occurs when a person has direct contact with urine, droppings, or saliva of the rodent which carries the virus. The most effective approaches to prevent this disease, therefore, are the maintenance of a clean household and control of household rodents. This includes the area around the home (Centers for Disease Control).

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Holes and Traps

Wild mice and rats require different types of traps in order to eliminate them from the home. Mice are able to squeeze through holes which are smaller than ones which rats can. Residents should search for holes that may be present on the inside or outside of the home. It is feasible to seal these holes with steel wool. To keep the steel wool in place, one can use caulk.

Very large holes in the home require lath screen, lath metal, cement, hardware cloth, or metal sheeting in order to seal them. Outbuildings, such as woodsheds or stables, and garages may have holes through which the rodents can pass, and it is necessary to seal them as well.

Glue traps are not a very good approach as they will frighten the mouse that they capture. The result is the rodent may urinate and thus increase the risk of disease spread. Snap traps with a small amount of peanut butter, therefore, are better, and residents of the home should place them in a position perpendicular to the wall. Rodent traps are also effective in outbuildings to control the host population.

Rodent predators such as non-poisonous snakes, owls, and hawks may serve to control rodents outside the home.

Measures outside the Home

Other useful measures include maintenance of bird feeders and compost bins at least 100 feet from the residence. Squirrel guards may be effective tools to keep those animals from bird feeders. Moreover, grains and animal feed must be in thick metal or plastic containers with tight lids. Additionally, residents have to regularly dispose of trash and clean these containers with soap and water.

Hay, woodpiles, and garbage cans should be kept at least a foot above the ground. Woodpiles must be at least 100 feet from the house. Grass and shrubbery within a hundred feet of the home require regular landscape management. It is also important to keep in mind that old cars, trucks, and tires may become homes for the rodent host, and one should remove them from the premises.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control. Hantavirus.
• World Health Organization. Hantavirus diseases.