Interior Health (IH) is warning people about the risks of hantavirus transmission from deer mice during spring cleaning. In a Facebook post, IH noted that British Columbia has seen cases of Sin Nombre virus, a type of hantavirus that can be contracted through contact with deer mouse droppings, urine, or saliva.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a severe respiratory disease that can be fatal. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. IH advises avoiding direct contact with rodent droppings and nesting materials, and recommends using wet cleaning methods to minimize dust.
To reduce risk, IH suggests ventilating areas before cleaning, wearing gloves and a mask, and using a bleach solution to disinfect surfaces. The warning comes as residents prepare for spring cleaning, which may disturb rodent habitats.
