Hantavirus Infects
Inyo County Resident

July 12, 2010

Dr. Rick Johnson, Public Health Officer for Inyo County, announced today that a local resident of Bishop has been hospitalized with a laboratory confirmed case of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). The individual had been sick with a flu-like illness and pneumonia for about 4 days, and after presenting to Northern Inyo Hospital last Thursday, was quickly flown to Reno for further care. Marvin Moskowitz, Inyo County Environmental Health Director, indicated his department would take the lead role in the investigation into the exposure and source of the infection.

This is the second laboratory confirmed case of hantavirus infection this year in the Eastern Sierra. A Mammoth lakes resident is currently recuperating from a recent infection. Since there have been no reports of influenza in recent weeks, hantavirus needs to be considered in anyone with a serious "influenza-like illness", which includes fever, body and muscle aches, headache, cough, or respiratory difficulty.

Since 1993, when the disease was first recognized in the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 534 cases of HPS in 31 states; 36% of the cases were fatal. California has documented over 40 cases, and in about half of these, exposure has been in the Eastern Sierra counties (some residents, some visitors).

Rodents, particularly the deer mouse, carry the virus that causes HCPS, which is typically spread to humans when infectious material from rodents is inhaled. This occurs when fresh droppings, urine, saliva, or nesting materials are disturbed and the air becomes contaminated with the virus. Hantaviruses can live in the environment for 2-3 days at normal room temperature. The UV rays of sunlight will kill the virus. Transmission peaks during the spring and summer months. HCPS in the United States cannot be transmitted from one person to another, nor from farm animals, dogs, cats, or rodents purchased at a pet store.

Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection. Recommendations can be summed up as:

SEAL UP - holes inside and outside the home to prevent entry by rodents.

TRAP UP - Trap rodents around the home to help reduce the population.

CLEAN UP - urine and droppings, dead rodents or nests, cabins, barns, sheds, or other outbuildings, heavy rodent infestations, food sources and nesting sites.

For more information and prevention of hantavirus, see the California Department of Public Health brochure:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Documents/RodentsandHantavirus.pdf

Hantavirus Infects Inyo County Resident
Public Health Brief 7/12/2010