The University of New Mexico & The Office of Animal Care and Compliance present Hantavirus Risk Reduction Based on the CDC Video Series A learning module developed by OACC

Introduction This module was developed to prepare you for Hantavirus Risks involved in doing field research with Rodents This module was developed to prepare you for Hantavirus Risks involved in doing field research with Rodents

General Background Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) was identified in the Southwestern United States in 1993 Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) was identified in the Southwestern United States in 1993 This disease agent occurs naturally throughout most of North and South America; it is airborne, and in the absence of prompt medical attention, its infections are usually fatal This disease agent occurs naturally throughout most of North and South America; it is airborne, and in the absence of prompt medical attention, its infections are usually fatal The actual virus Reported cases in the U.S.

Hantavirus Vectors The Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is the most common host The Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is the most common host It can also be found in other rodent hosts, such as the Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus), the marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) and the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) It can also be found in other rodent hosts, such as the Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus), the marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) and the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) All wild-caught rodents should be considered hosts All wild-caught rodents should be considered hosts

Infection The main method of transmission is when the virus enters the body by breathing contaminated air The main method of transmission is when the virus enters the body by breathing contaminated air This happens when fresh urine, droppings, or contaminated nesting material are stirred up and the virus floats in the air This happens when fresh urine, droppings, or contaminated nesting material are stirred up and the virus floats in the air It is suspected that a person could get it if they touched a surface contaminated with rodent excretions and then touched their nose or mouth It is suspected that a person could get it if they touched a surface contaminated with rodent excretions and then touched their nose or mouth

Infection Another way a person might get it is through rodent bites Another way a person might get it is through rodent bites Typical transmission cycle Typical transmission cycle

Infected Animals Rodents can carry Hantavirus which is passed in the saliva, urine, and droppings of infected rodents Rodents can carry Hantavirus which is passed in the saliva, urine, and droppings of infected rodents People are infected when they breath in tiny particles of these materials in dust from places where rodents are living and active People are infected when they breath in tiny particles of these materials in dust from places where rodents are living and active People can also become infected by handling contaminated materials and then touching the mouth or nose People can also become infected by handling contaminated materials and then touching the mouth or nose Hantavirus is NOT spread from person to person Hantavirus is NOT spread from person to person

Hantavirus Contact Risks Hantavirus infection has been epidemiologically associated with disturbing excreta in rodent- infested areas while hiking or camping and keeping captive wild rodents as research subjects Hantavirus infection has been epidemiologically associated with disturbing excreta in rodent- infested areas while hiking or camping and keeping captive wild rodents as research subjects Persons at higher risk for infection include: Mammalogists, and Farm and domestic workers Persons at higher risk for infection include: Mammalogists, and Farm and domestic workers More than half of the patients who've gotten the disease have died despite good medical care More than half of the patients who've gotten the disease have died despite good medical care

Hantavirus Symptoms: The first symptoms are general and flu-like: fever, headache, stomach pain, pain in the joints and lower back, coughing, and sometimes nausea and vomiting The first symptoms are general and flu-like: fever, headache, stomach pain, pain in the joints and lower back, coughing, and sometimes nausea and vomiting The main later symptom is difficulty in breathing as lungs fill with fluid The main later symptom is difficulty in breathing as lungs fill with fluid This can quickly lead to an inability to breathe and even death from suffocation This can quickly lead to an inability to breathe and even death from suffocation Symptoms can appear from 3 days to 6 weeks after infection, but usually within 2 weeks Symptoms can appear from 3 days to 6 weeks after infection, but usually within 2 weeks It is important to realize that ear aches, sore throats or rashes are very, very uncommon with this infection It is important to realize that ear aches, sore throats or rashes are very, very uncommon with this infection

If you have any of these symptoms within 6 to 7 weeks of having contact with wild rodents or rodent droppings GO TO EOHS, THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER, OR THE UNM EMERGENCY ROOM If you have any of these symptoms within 6 to 7 weeks of having contact with wild rodents or rodent droppings GO TO EOHS, THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER, OR THE UNM EMERGENCY ROOM Symptoms

Prevention: Personal Protective Equipment When removing rodents from traps or handling rodents, personnel should wear a half-face, tight seal, negative-pressure particulate air filter When removing rodents from traps or handling rodents, personnel should wear a half-face, tight seal, negative-pressure particulate air filter Latex or Nitrile gloves should also be worn Latex or Nitrile gloves should also be worn

Prevention: Cleanliness Rodent urine and droppings should always be cleaned up from all contaminated surfaces Rodent urine and droppings should always be cleaned up from all contaminated surfaces This can be done by Spraying with a disinfectant, or chlorine solution until thoroughly soaked, and wiping contaminants into a biohazard bag This can be done by Spraying with a disinfectant, or chlorine solution until thoroughly soaked, and wiping contaminants into a biohazard bag Disinfecting solutions include: a 1:10 chlorine solution, and household disinfectants based on phenols, quaternary ammonium compounds, and hypochlorite Disinfecting solutions include: a 1:10 chlorine solution, and household disinfectants based on phenols, quaternary ammonium compounds, and hypochlorite

Prevention: Cleanliness After the rodent droppings have been removed, gloves should also be disinfected before they are removed

Prevention The best available approach to disease control is risk reduction through environmental modification and hygiene practices The best available approach to disease control is risk reduction through environmental modification and hygiene practices

Protective Equipment – Re-Cap Rodents WILL BITE – use gloves when handling them Rodents WILL BITE – use gloves when handling them Rodents can carry diseases – use gloves when handling them Rodents can carry diseases – use gloves when handling them Rodents can carry diseases - a filter mask should be worn when handling them or in areas where they live Rodents can carry diseases - a filter mask should be worn when handling them or in areas where they live

This Concludes Module 11A – Hantavirus Risk Reduction Please download the exam, complete it, then it to Please download the exam, complete it, then it to For more information, or if you have questions, please contact For more information, or if you have questions, please contact