HANTAVIRUSES

Via rodents

The viruses are excreted by infected rodents in their spittle, faeces and urine. Even when dried, the pathogens are infectious for several days. Direct contact with the affected rodents is not necessary for infection. Usually, hantaviruses are inhaled, e.g. together with swirled up dust that contains the pathogens. Infection is possible by an animal bite as well. Viruses from contaminated earth may enter the body through small skin injuries, e.g. to the hands, when working in the garden. An infection from food that has become contaminated with excrement from infected rodents is also possible.

Important: The pathogen types occurring in our area are not passed on from person to person.

Persons in risk areas (see below) are particularly endangered during the following work:

• Work in forestry, cutting wood
• Work in agriculture
• Gardening
• Staying in or cleaning sheds, stables and houses where there are or were rodents, particularly when dust is swirled up
• Activities outdoors in areas with lots of rodents, such as jogging or camping

• If you suspect that you may have hantavirus, see your doctor. All necessary steps will be taken then.
• Only the symptoms are usually treated (e.g. pain, fever or treatment for renal failure).
• Patients do not need to be isolated, since they are not contagious.

Important advice for your protection:

• Wash your hands thoroughly after being outdoors or in basements, attics or sheds.
• Fight mice and rats particularly in the area of human residential areas, such as basements, attics or sheds.
• Keep food safe and firmly closed to avoid attracting rodents. This also applies to animal feed.
• Dispose of waste in closable garbage bins and cans.
• Do not put food residue and animal waste in the compost.
• Dispose of nesting opportunities for rodents, such as bulky waste or waste heaps.
• Avoid contact with the excretions of rodents, specifically of mice.

If you have to remove mouse cadavers or faeces:

• Air the room for at least 30 minutes first and do not use a vacuum cleaner, since the viruses may be emitted through the exhaust air.
• If required, wear suitable breathing masks when cleaning (fine dust mask FFP3) and use disposable gloves.
• Moisten mouse droppings or corpses (e.g. with water and a detergent) to reduce the amount of dust produced.
• Put the animal corpse into a plastic bag that is closed carefully, and dispose of in household waste.
• Afterwards, clean the affected areas thoroughly with a household cleaner and dispose of the rags or sponges used.
• Important: Wash your hands afterwards!

Your local health authority can provide you with further advice and information. Since hantavirus infections must bereported, they will also have the latest information and be very experienced in dealing with the disease.

More (specialist) information is also available online from the Robert Koch Institute (www.rki.de/hantaviren) and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (www.fli.bund.de). For information on how hygiene can guard against infection, please visit the Federal Centre for Health Education website (www.infektionsschutz.de).