One man is dead and another death is being investigated after Saskatchewan health officials confirmed the cause as complications resulting from hantavirus.
The dead adult lived in the Heartland Health Region in west-central Saskatchewan. The second death was in the same health region.
Officials say they don’t believe the cases were connected.
Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, is expected to meet with reporters today. However, no other details identifying the people will be released.
Hantavirus is rare but potentially fatal and is typically associated with exposure to contaminated air particles from the droppings, urine and saliva of infected rodents such as deer mice. Exposure occurs when sweeping or vacuuming places that had been infested.
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, cough, headaches, nausea and vomiting. Shahab said in a news release that people who develop fever, coughing and shortness of breath one to six weeks after exposure to mouse-infested areas should seek immediate medical attention.
Since 1994, there have been 24 cases of hantavirus and seven deaths in the province.
