Alberta Health Services (AHS) is urging people to take precautions against Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome after a case was confirmed north of St. Albert.
Hantavirus is contracted when an individual comes in contact with infected rodent waste that has become airborne.
“People contract it when the area contaminated with mouse droppings and mouse urine is disturbed and you end up breathing in the fine, dusty particles that are contaminated,” said Dr. Marcia Johnson, medical officer of health.
Although it can affect individuals of any age, it tends to affect young, healthy people due to the nature of work required to come in contact with it, she said.
AHS spokesperson Kerry Williamson could not provide specific information about the infected individual, other than to say it was in a rural community north of St. Albert, but still in the AHS Edmonton zone.
“It’s a relatively small place and we can’t give up anything that sort of identifies the patient,” he said. The Edmonton zone boundaries extend north to Redwater.
Hantavirus is rare, affecting between one and four people per year in the province. There have been 20 confirmed cases since 2002.
Hantavirus presents with severe flu-like symptoms including fever, body aches, chills, abdominal problems and respiratory problems.
Respiratory problems indicate Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which often requires hospitalization with ‘tremendous’ support including intensive care and ventilation, Johnson said.
“It makes it so that you can’t use the oxygen in the air. Your lungs become very, very inflamed,” she said. “It’s a virus so that means antibiotics don’t work. It’s your own immune system typically that has to get on top of this virus.”
Symptoms usually develop one to two weeks after exposure. Anyone who has developed flu-like symptoms after coming in contact with a contaminated area should seek medical attention, she said.
She advises people to take the necessary precautions when cleaning and disposing of mouse droppings, nests or carcasses. These include working in a well-ventilated area, wearing the necessary protective equipment and using a bleach and water solution to disinfect the waste before removing it.
