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Re: [at-l] Mouse Droppings, etc.]
> Remember, you can avoid the problem of sickness due to any fecal droppings by
> using the broom that you will usually find in shelters. If you eat in the
> shelter, sweep it clean before you leave. Don't bury your trash or excess
> food under the shelter (as many do). Burn paper wrappings, carry out cans or
> bottles. The mice (or other) are there because they have found a food
> source.
Well, that's one of the problems with hanta. When you sweep the droppings,
you disturb it and throw it in the air. Here's an excerpt from a CDC report
on hanta:
"Human infection may occur when infective saliva or excreta are inhaled as
aerosols produced directly from the animal. Transmission may also occur when
fresh or dried materials contaminated by rodent excreta are disturbed,
directly introduced into broken skin, introduced into the eyes, or, possibly,
ingested in contaminated food or water. Persons have also become infected
after being bitten by rodents."
And then below, there's this:
"PRECAUTIONS FOR CAMPERS AND HIKERS IN THE AFFECTED AREAS
There is no evidence to suggest that travel into the affected areas should be
restricted. Most usual tourist activities pose little or no risk that
travelers will be exposed to rodents or their excreta. However, persons
engaged in outdoor activities such as camping or hiking should take
precautions to reduce the likelihood of their exposure to potentially
infectious materials (Box 6).
Box 6. Reducing risk of hantavirus infection: Guidance for hikers and campers
Avoid coming into contact with rodents and rodent burrows or disturbing dens
(such as pack rat nests). Do not use cabins or other enclosed shelters that
are rodent infested until they have been appropriately cleaned and disinfected.
Do not pitch tents or place sleeping bags in areas in proximity to rodent feces
or burrows or near possible rodent shelters (e.g., garbage dumps or woodpiles).
If possible, do not sleep on the bare ground. Use a cot with the sleeping
surface at least 12 inches above the ground. Use tents with floors. Keep food
in rodent-proof containers. Promptly bury (or--preferably--burn followed by
burying, when in accordance with local requirements) all garbage and trash,
or discard in covered trash containers. Use only bottled water or water that
has been disinfected by filtration, boiling, chlorination, or iodination for
drinking, cooking, washing dishes, and brushing teeth."
This came from http://main.street.net/hantavirus.html
Now that you know what to do when you know there's hanta there, remember
that it is so rare, that not worrying about it will make your trip much
more enjoyable. Just don't mess with any droppings you find. Including
sweeping them.
--
S. Schuyler Stultz Recognition Research Inc.
schuyler@rrinc.com 1872 Pratt Drive Suite 1200
(540) 231-6500 Blacksburg, VA 24060
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