How can hantavirus enter my body?
People can contract hantavirus by:
Person-to-person transmission in North America has not been reported. A few cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, associated with Andes virus in South America, suggest person-to-person transmission is possible through close, prolonged contact. However, the viruses isolated in South America are genetically distinct from those described in North America.
- requirement breathing in virus particles from rodent droppings, saliva or urine,
- requirement touching contaminated objects or surfaces,
- requirement ingesting contaminated food or water, or
- requirement being bitten by an infected rodent (in rare cases).
What occupations are at risk?
Anyone who may come into contact with rodents may be at risk of contracting hantavirus. Occupations with an increased risk of exposure include:
Cases of hantavirus infection contracted in Canada and the United States have been associated with these activities:
For workers who might be exposed to rodents as part of their normal job duties, employers are required to comply with relevant occupational health and safety regulations in their jurisdiction. Typically, employers are required to develop and implement an exposure control plan to eliminate or reduce the risk of hantavirus in their workplace.
- context Agriculture workers
- context Construction workers
- context Forestry workers
- context Hunters
- context Janitorial workers
- context Military personnel
- context Pest control workers
- context Restoration workers
- context Transportation workers
- context Trappers
- context Sweeping out a barn and other ranch buildings
- context Trapping and studying mice
- context Using compressed air and dry sweeping to clean up wood waste in a sawmill
- context Handling grain contaminated with mouse droppings and urine
- context Entering a barn infested with mice
- context Planting or harvesting field crops
- context Occupying previously vacant dwellings
- context Disturbing rodent-infested areas while hiking or camping
- context Living in dwellings with a sizable indoor rodent population
How can workplaces reduce exposures to hantavirus?
Attempt to reduce the presence of rodents and limit contact with their droppings, urine, and saliva by:
- requirement Storing food (including pet food) and garbage in heavy plastic or metal containers with no holes and tight-fitting lids.
- requirement Putting water and food away overnight.
- requirement Sealing any holes in structures where mice may enter.
- requirement Cutting back thick brush and keeping grass and shrubbery short.
- requirement Keeping woodpiles at least 30 metres away from buildings.
- requirement Setting traps when necessary. Always read and follow the instructions.
How can workplaces clean up contaminated areas?
Since human infection occurs through inhalation of contaminated material, clean-up procedures must be performed in a way that limits the amount of airborne dust. Treat all rodents and droppings as potentially infected.
Generally, the steps for cleaning contaminated areas include:
Please contact your local environmental authorities about approved disposal methods.
If there is reason to suspect that rodents have access to heating and cooling ventilation systems, contact a professional rodent exterminating service or a qualified ventilation professional.
For cleaning up areas that are heavily contaminated, additional precautions may be required, including the use of High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuums and powered air-purifying respirators with P100 filters.
- requirement Ventilate the space by opening doors and windows for at least 30 minutes before activities begin, and keep the space ventilated while cleaning and for a period before re-entry.
- ppe A fit-tested disposable N95 respirator
- ppe Disposable gloves (for example, neoprene, nitrile, or latex-free gloves)
- requirement Rubber boots or disposable shoe covers
- ppe Put on personal protective equipment, including:
- administrative Soak the material thoroughly with a solution that is 1 part sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) to 9 parts water, or a household disinfectant. Follow safe work procedures when working with bleach, or the manufacturer’s instructions or safety data sheets when using disinfecting products.
- requirement Allow the solution or disinfectant to soak for around 10 minutes before beginning cleaning. These disinfectants kill the virus and reduce the chance of further transmission.
- requirement Scoop the material using disposable mops or towels into a double plastic bag and seal it for disposal.
- requirement Clean the area with disposable mops, towels, or a wet mop. Launder or steam clean objects made of cloth, such as furniture, carpets, clothes, bedding, toys, etc.
- ppe Before taking your gloves off, wash the outside of the gloves using soap and water or a disinfectant. Put them in a sealed plastic bag for disposal.
- ppe Place any disposable personal protective equipment in a sealed plastic bag for disposal.
- requirement If a wet mop was used to clean the area, use disinfectant and hot soapy water to clean the mop.
- requirement Wash any exposed skin using soap and water.