Health experts urge caution around rodent droppings

As cottage season begins, experts warn to know the risks of hantavirus when cleaning up mouse dropping.

A deadly hantavirus linked to a cruise ship off the coast of Africa is drawing attention to a strain that Canadian experts say can still cause severe illness.

Three people connected to the cruise ship have died as health officials monitor an outbreak involving the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is a rare version of the virus known to spread between humans.

Canadian experts say the outbreak strain is different from the hantavirus strains typically found in Canada.

“We do not have the hantavirus in Canada,” said David Safronetz, Special Pathogens Chief for the Public Health Agency of Canada.

In Canada, the predominant strain is the Sin Nombre virus, which causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but potentially severe respiratory disease.

Safronetz said Canadian cases remain uncommon, with only about five to 10 infections typically reported nationwide each year, mostly in western Canada.

“To date, there’s only been one confirmed case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome east of Manitoba,” Safronetz said.

Experts say spring and early summer can increase the risk of exposure as people reopen cottages, sheds and garages that may have had rodent activity over the winter.

Hantavirus is most commonly spread when people inhale airborne particles contaminated by rodent urine or droppings.

“It’s usually inhaled. People breathe it,” Alice Sinia, entomologist with Orkin Canada. “For it to happen, the rodent droppings have to be, first of all, dry, and it has to be airborne.”

Sinia said one of the biggest mistakes people make is vacuuming or sweeping dry rodent droppings, which can send contaminated particles into the air.

“The key is just to make sure that the droppings do not become airborne,” she said.

She recommends moistening droppings with disinfectant before cleaning.

“Use the disinfectant to moisten the rodent droppings and then let it sit for about five minutes,” Sinia said.

Safronetz said airing out enclosed spaces before cleaning can also help reduce risk.

“People would be wise to air out buildings that they’re reopening after a longer winter of not using,” he said.

Experts also recommend wearing gloves and masks while cleaning areas with signs of rodent infestations. Sinia said prevention is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of exposure.

She advises homeowners seal openings around foundations, vents and doors, clean up bird seeds and fallen fruit, and reduce clutter around properties.

“Mice can enter through any opening the size of a dime,” she said.

Despite the international outbreak, Safronetz said Canadians should not panic.

“The risk of these events happening remains extremely low. Canada does have a very robust system in place.”