- All persons involved with the actual cleanup and decontamination process must first be fit tested for a respirator before the project can proceed. The appropriate respirator equipped with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cartridges may be purchased through shop stores by the employee’s department.
- All persons involved in the cleanup should wear protective coveralls (preferably disposable coveralls such as tyvek suits), rubber boots or disposable shoe covers, rubber or plastic gloves, protective goggles, and an appropriate respiratory protection device, such as a half face air purifying (negative pressure) respirator with a HEPA filter. Respirators (including positive-pressure types) are not considered protective if facial hair interferes with the face seal, since a proper fit cannot be assured.
- Before any rodent elimination work is begun, ventilate closed buildings or areas inside buildings by opening doors and windows for at least 30 minutes. Use an exhaust fan or cross ventilation if possible. Leave the area until the airing out period is finished. This airing may help remove any aerosolized virus inside the closed-in structure.
- Spray dead rodents, rodent nests, droppings or items that have been tainted by rodents with a general- purpose disinfectant (a 10% bleach solution will work). Soak the material thoroughly, and place in a plastic bag. When clean up is complete (or when the bag is full) seal the bag, and then place it into a second plastic bag and seal. Dispose of the bagged material.
- Spray the outside surfaces of all items, which can be salvaged, with an appropriate disinfectant and then clean with detergent. Remove these items from the building and allow them to air dry outside if possible. After salvaged materials and waste materials have been removed from the building, mop the floors with a solution of water, detergent and disinfectant. Spray dirt floors with a disinfectant solution. A second mopping or spraying of floors with a general- purpose disinfectant is optional. Any carpeting can be effectively disinfected with household disinfectants or by commercial grade steam cleaning or shampooing. To avoid generating potentially infectious aerosols, do not vacuum or sweep dry surfaces before mopping.
- Disinfect countertops, cabinets, drawers, and other durable surfaces by washing them with a solution of detergent, water, and disinfectant followed by an optional wiping- down with a general-purpose household disinfectant.
- Any upholstered furniture should be steam cleaned or shampooed. If rodents have nested inside furniture and the nests are not accessible for decontamination, please dispose of these items.
- Personal protective gear should be decontaminated upon removal at the end of the project.
If the coveralls are not disposable, they should be laundered on site. If no laundry facilities are available, the coveralls should be immersed in liquid disinfectant until they can be washed.
- Workers who develop a respiratory illness within 45 days of the potential exposure should seek medical attention immediately and inform the attending physician of the potential risk of Hantavirus infection. The physician should contact local health authorities promptly if Hantavirus associated illness is suspected.
- Store grains and animal feed in rodent-proof containers. Near buildings, remove food sources that might attract rodents, or store food and water in rodent proof containers. Remove trash, discarded tires, and other items, which might serve as rodent nesting sites.Cut grass, brush, and dense shrubbery within 100 feet of the building.
- Seal/screen or otherwise cover all openings into the building that have a diameter of 1/4 inch. Then set rodent traps inside the building, using peanut butter as bait. Use only springloaded traps that kill rodents.
- Treat the interior of the structure with an insecticide labeled for flea control; follow specific label instructions. Insecticide sprays or powders can be used in place of aerosols if they are appropriately labeled for flea control. EPA approved rodenticides may also be used while the interior is being treated.** EPA- approved rodenticides are commercially available. Instructions on product use should always be followed. Products that are used outside should be specifically approved for exterior use. Any use of a rodenticide should be preceded by the use of an insecticide to reduce the risk of plague transmission. Insecticide sprays or powders can be used in place of aerosols if they are appropriately labeled for flea control.
- Wear rubber or plastic gloves while handling rodents. First spray the captured rodents with a general- purpose disinfectant to thoroughly wet the carcasses. Remove the captured rodents from the traps and place the carcasses into a plastic bag. Seal the bag and then dispose of it by incinerating it. Re-bait and reset all sprung traps.
- Before removing the gloves, wash gloved hands in a general household disinfectant and then in soap and water. Please note that if the gloves are either damaged or considered to be one-use gloves (such as latex examination gloves) they must be discarded as potentially infectious waste. Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water after removing the gloves.
- Leave several baited spring-loaded traps inside the building at all times as a further precaution against rodent re-infestation. Examine the traps regularly. Disinfect the traps, which are no longer in use by washing in a general-purpose disinfectant.
- What Is It?
The Hantavirus is spherically shaped and about 100 nm in diameter. A lipid envelope that makes it relatively vulnerable to dilute bleach solutions, alcohol and other disinfectants, surrounds the virus. However, there is evidence that suggests that the infectivity of the virus lasts in the environment in dried secretions for some time.Hantaviruses cause a disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Early symptoms of HPS include fever, muscle aches, and headache; severe abdominal, joint and lower back pain, nausea and vomiting. A cough and shortness of breath will usually follow within a week. In most cases, HPS will rapidly progress to severe respiratory distress.
The deer mouse is the primary host for the Hantavirus that causes HPS in much of North America. Deer mice are found in different habitats, including in human dwellings in rural and semi-rural areas. Infected rodent hosts do not exhibit any obvious signs of infection or illness. Infected rodents will shed the virus in saliva, urine and feces for several weeks. The main route of exposure for humans appears to be by the inhalation of hantavirus-containing droplets aerosolized from rodent excretions.
- How To Prevent Exposure
Prevention of Hantavirus infection depends on the avoidance of potentially infected rodents, effective rodent control and appropriate clean-up of rodent contaminated areas. Steps to be followed when cleaning up rodent infested areas include:
- Prior to any cleanup activities, ventilate the building by opening doors and windows for at least 30 minutes. Use an exhaust fan or cross ventilation if possible. Leave the area until the building is aired out.
- All persons involved in the cleanup should wear protective coveralls (preferably disposable), rubber boots or protective shoe covers, rubber or plastic gloves, protective goggles, and an appropriate respirator.
- Spray dead rodents, rodent nests, droppings and other possibly-contaminated items with a general-purpose disinfectant such as a 10% bleach solution. Soak the material thoroughly, and pace into a plastic bag. When clean up is complete (or when the bag is full) seal the bag, and then place it in a second plastic bag and seal.
- Spray the outside surfaces of all items to be salvaged with an appropriate disinfectant and then clean with a detergent. Remove these items and allow to air dry outside if possible. After salvaged and waste materials are removed from the building, mop the floors with a solution of water, detergent, and disinfectant. Spray dirt floors with a disinfectant solution. Carpeting can be disinfected with household disinfectant or by commercial grade steam cleaning or shampooing. DO NOT vacuum or sweep dry surfaces before mopping.
- Personal protective gear should be decontaminated upon removal at the end of the clean-up project. If the coveralls are not disposable, they should launder on site. If laundry facilities are not available then they should be soaked in disinfectant until they can be washed.
- Anyone who develops a respiratory illness within 45 days of a potential exposure should seek medical attention immediately and inform the attending physician of their activities and the potential risk of Hantavirus infection.