Albertans are being warned about contact with mouse droppings after a man contracted hantavirus, said Alberta’s deputy provincial health officer.
The man spent eight days in hospital with the disease, but has since recovered, said Dr. Karen Grimsrud with Alberta Health.
The adult male was from the East Central Health Region, an area stretching from Edmonton to the Saskatchewan border. This is the 28th confirmed case of hantavirus in the pro- vince since 1989. Eight people have died from the disease, which results from contact with droppings, urine or saliva from mice.
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Excess moisture this summer and the large amounts of grain left unharvested in the field, make ideal conditions for mice.
The only confirmed carrier of hantavirus in Alberta is the deer mouse. They are sandy brown along their heads, backs and upper tails, but always have white fur on the chin, belly, legs, feet and underside of the tail.
Alberta Health made the following recommendations:
- Minimize the presence of mice by reducing the availability of food sources or nesting material.
- When disposing of mice or their droppings use rubber gloves; ventilate enclosed areas before cleaning; spray droppings or mouse with disinfectant or diluted bleach and then place it in a sealed bag in the garbage or bury it.
- In enclosed spaces, avoid using a broom or vacuum cleaner.
