SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – The recent death of one child from South Dakota and the hospitalization of another from hantavirus has prompted the Scotts Bluff County Health Department to urge caution when cleaning outdoor buildings like barns, outbuildings, and sheds.

Humans are most often exposed to hantavirus after cleaning areas infected by rodents. The respiratory virus is transmitted by breathing in contaminated airborne particles from the droppings, urine, and saliva of infected mice or rats. Exposure to the virus can also occur through rodent bites, if the skin is broken, or through ingestion.

“Hantavirus infection is a relatively rare but potentially fatal illness,” said Paulette Schnell, Community Health Nurse at Regional West Medical Center. “Early symptoms include muscle aches, fever, headaches, cough, nausea, and vomiting. People who develop fever, coughing and shortness of breath within one to six weeks of potential exposure should seek immediate medical attention.”

Schnell recommended the following when cleaning areas where rodents might live:

· Open all doors and windows for at least 30 minutes before cleaning.

· Wear gloves and a mask to protect from exposure.

· Avoid using vacuums or brooms that can stir up contaminated dust. Instead:

· Wet contaminated areas with a household disinfectant or bleach solution (1 ½ cups of bleach per gallon of water) and let soak for 15 minutes.

· Use a damp towel to clean up the material, then mop or sponge the area with bleach solution or household disinfectant.

Since 1993, there have been 587 total reported cases of hantavirus nationwide, with seven reported cases in Nebraska.

For more information on hantavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.