Hanta Virus - Weld & Adams County (Denver, Boulder: health, best)

[LBear]

Being that TWO people have died this year from the hantavirus in Custer County & Costilla County. The hantavirus has also been found in Adam County in 2000 & 2003 and three cases in Weld County since 1993 (2 of which were from 2007).

I found a dead deer mouse in the basement and I am somewhat concerned. Is there a way to have the mouse tested?

Also, is there a way for a person to be tested?

[sterlinggirl]

If you're still breathing you don't have it.

Maybe it'll spread through the prarie dog colonies in Boulder.....

[LBear]

Honestly, it has me worried.

The incubation period is 1-6 weeks before symptoms show. The avg. is 2-4 weeks. It begins with FLU LIKE symptoms and it goes from bad to worse really quick. 50% of the people who get it die. There is NO CURE for it.

[bhcompy]

i would contact your local animal control. terminix(pest control) also has the capability of testing for hantavirus

[Katiana]

Also contact your local health dept if you want to be tested. There may be a test for it: I don't know.

[LBear]

I found out that there is NO test to know if you have it. Not until you develop the symptoms, can they test for it, prior to that there is nothing they can look for.

The Colorado Health Dept stated that they will NOT test the dead mouse either.

Hopefully someone will. It would be a great burden to know that it is NOT carrying the virus. Waiting 2-4 weeks to find out if one is infected will make for a long and anxious time.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by LBear

I found out that there is NO test to know if you have it. Not until you develop the symptoms, can they test for it, prior to that there is nothing they can look for.

Which should mean that they can test to see if you have antibodies, i.e., if you've already had it. I wouldn't worry excessively. There are a lot of ifs here: if the mouse was infected, if you inhaled dust containing viurs from the mouse, etc.

[sumgai187]

It's really hard to tell if it's a deer mouse unless you're really good at identification. Also, I talked to a doctor a few months back about this. She blankly told me it's not a problem in our region (Denver/Boulder area counties) and seemed to have almost no concern about it. Wear a mask/eye protection/gloves when you clean up any dead rodent or droppings and use bleach cleaning solutions (don't vacuum or sweep up). If you're really worried, no harm in scheduling a doctor's appointment but I'm not sure they can do anything. If you come down with something a very harsh sickness, make sure someone knows what you suspect. Since it's a respiratory illness, if you come down with something really bad and have to go to the hospital, National Jewish is supposed to be the best respiratory hospital in the US.

[LBear]

Originally Posted by sumgai187

It's really hard to tell if it's a deer mouse unless you're really good at identification. Also, I talked to a doctor a few months back about this. She blankly told me it's not a problem in our region (Denver/Boulder area counties) and seemed to have almost no concern about it. Wear a mask/eye protection/gloves when you clean up any dead rodent or droppings and use bleach cleaning solutions (don't vacuum or sweep up). If you're really worried, no harm in scheduling a doctor's appointment but I'm not sure they can do anything. If you come down with something a very harsh sickness, make sure someone knows what you suspect. Since it's a respiratory illness, if you come down with something really bad and have to go to the hospital, National Jewish is supposed to be the best respiratory hospital in the US.

I am almost 99% sure it was a deer mouse. It was very distinct that it had a brown top and a white bottom, the ears and eyes were that of a deer mouse.


I know that it is rare to contract it and that not every deer mouse carries it but it still has me concerned. I know if I get any symptoms, I am going to National Jewish hospital ASAP. The are top for pulmonary care.

The fatality rate is high (40%). I know a lot has to do with many of those who had it, did not get proper treatment, as they were diagnosed with having the flu and sent home. Two days later, they were in pulmonary duress. At which point there is little they can do. Early detection and action is key.

[Katiana]

You might find this helpful.

Hantavirus - Boulder County Public Health