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Worried about hantavirus? Take precautions when opening cottages, sheds, PHAC expert advises
Abell says rodent droppings and nesting material can spread hantavirus, and Health Canada recommends gloves, disinfectant and a HEPA-filtered respirator.
- As the cottage season begins, Abell Pest Control is encouraging property owners to take precautions before spring cleaning. Aaron Soudant, Director of Service Excellence and Quality Assurance at Abell, noted many Canadians are unaware that hantavirus is a potential risk.
- Rodents often seek warm, sheltered environments during winter, making cottages, cabins, and sheds attractive nesting locations. By spring, vacant properties may contain signs of rodent activity, such as dark droppings along walls and shredded nesting materials.
- If signs of activity are present, Health Canada recommends wearing rubber gloves and using a HEPA-filtered respirator in confined spaces. Owners should spray droppings with a bleach solution and allow it to soak for at least 10 minutes before cleaning.
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is rare in Canada, but the mortality rate is about 30 per cent, according to the World Health Organization. Symptoms often begin with tiredness or fever, progressing to respiratory distress and requiring supportive care.
- While the Andes virus spreads human-to-human only through close contact, David Safronetz, chief of special pathogens at the National Microbiology Laboratory, said Canadians should focus on Sin Nombre virus carried by deer mice. Monitoring for symptoms is critical, Safronetz said.
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The Toronto Star+15 Reposted by 15 other sources
Worried about hantavirus? Take precautions when opening cottages, sheds, PHAC expert advises
Human-to-human spread of Andes virus requires very close and prolonged contact, and usually occurs in partners, household contacts or medical staff who have spent a lot of time with the
·Toronto, Canada
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Total News Sources17
Leaning Left11Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Left
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources lean Left
73% Left
L 73%
C 27%
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