Public Health is investigating a case of hantavirus in an adult resident of southeast King County. Hantavirus can cause a rare but deadly disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Although we are not aware of an increased risk for hantavirus exposure in King County, it is important that people are aware of the risk and symptoms to watch for and know how to identify and properly respond to rodent infestations. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for HPS, so minimizing exposures to rodents and their nests is key.
If you are in the yard, garage or garden, watch for signs of rodents and take precautions against hantavirus exposure when cleaning up after rodents. Also take steps to protect yourself if you are entering a building that has been closed up during Stay at Home orders. We have tips to help.
Some mice (deer mice, specifically) can carry hantavirus in their urine and droppings, This virus is rare, but can be potentially deadly in humans. So, if you are doing your annual spring cleaning and notice signs of infestation, take caution when cleaning it up.
Here at the Insider, we’ve been talking to Dr. Meagan Kay, Medical Epidemiologist, about the cluster of hantavirus cases that we’ve had in King County over the last several months. Meagan, what is hantavirus? Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare but sometimes deadly disease that people can get by breathing in hantavirus contained in […]
Update: 4/6/17: Tests have come back confirming hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the person reported on below. The patient is hospitalized in stable condition. Original post: Local public health officials are investigating a new suspected case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in an Issaquah woman. Test results are expected by Thursday, April 6, and an investigation […]
Hantavirus can cause a rare but deadly disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). In Washington State hantavirus is carried primarily by deer mice. Over the last several months, two people in King County have become ill with HPS, and one person died. A person gets HPS by breathing in hantavirus. This can happen when dust […]
