How to Stay Safe When Cleaning Up After Rodents

May 15, 2020.Reading time 5 minutes.

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.

5 important tips for staying safe when cleaning areas with rodents

March 19, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

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.

Rodents, your car, and hantavirus: What to do if you suspect rodents are living in your vehicle

April 21, 2017.Reading time 9 minutes.

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 […]

A new case of Hantavirus suspected in King County

April 4, 2017.Reading time 8 minutes.

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 […]

Two cases of hantavirus reported in King County since December, 2016: Be aware of health risks associated with deer mouse infestations

March 21, 2017.Reading time 9 minutes.

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 […]

Hunting a haunting virus

October 30, 2015.Reading time 7 minutes.

As scary stories go, this one ranks high on Dr. Jeff Duchin’s list. The year was 1993, and he was serving as an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dubbed CDC’s Disease Detectives, EIS officers are often first on the scene when a public health emergency occurs, helping public health […]