Hantavirus may not be on most Basin residents’ radar but the virus is carried by rodents in the TriCounty area and can be passed to humans. Deer mice carry the virus and do live throughout the Uintah Basin mostly in fields and remote areas, shares TriCounty Health’s Cyndie Mattinson. The virus is shed in the droppings, urine and saliva of infected rodents and humans are infected when they inhale dust that contains dried contaminated urine or feces. Residents are encouraged to use caution when cleaning out old sheds or any activity that could cause dust in infected areas. Wear gloves, goggles, masks and spray down dusty areas with bleach water or anything to keep the fumes from coming up and being breathed in. Clean the area carefully. Hantavirus kills one in every three people infected. Signs of infection include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches before adding symptoms of respiratory illness with shortness of breath as the lungs fill with fluid. For more information, visit www.tricountyhealth.com.
