Hantavirus Prevention: Cleanup of Rodent Contamination

Hantaviruses in the Americas may cause human disease involving the lungs, hence the name hantavirus pulmonary syndrome HPS. Since May 1993, a total of 416 HPS cases as of 1 February 2006 have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC in residents of 32 states, with 39 of these cases identified retrospectively with onset of illness prior to May 1993. One hundred and six 38 of the HPS cases have had a fatal outcome. Sin Nombre virus SNV has been responsible for over 90 of the human hantavirus cases in the United States in the last nine years. Peromyscus maniculatus, the deer mouse, is the primary reservoir for SNV. This has also been confirmed by USACHPPM-West surveillance at 44 military installations, mostly in the western half of the United States, where 12 of the P. maniculatus sampled have been positive for SNV. The deer mouse is found in most of North America and frequently lives in buildings, including those on military installations. Hantaviruses that cause illness in humans are also found in other rodents, but the number of cases stemming from these hantaviruses is small when compared to SNV. Hantavirus is shed in rodent urine and feces. The primary route of infection, inhalation of airborne particles containing virus, is almost always associated with indoor environments. Removal of rodent contamination from indoor areas will reduce the risk of personnel acquiring hantavirus infection. The level of contamination, the type of activity in the facility, and the type of personnel performing the cleanup operations will dictate the methods used and the personal protective measures to be taken. The goal of any cleanup operation is to remove rodent contaminants without exposing cleaning personnel to hantavirus-laden particles in the air or on their hands and bodies. The risk of coming into contact with hantavirus increases with the amount of contamination present and the type of cleanup required. Obviously, it is easier to cle