UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- As people head out to deer camps or cabins this fall, they may want to take some precautions to safeguard themselves against hantavirus, says a wildlife biologist in Penn State's School of Forest Resources.

"Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare but potentially fatal lung disease," says Gary San Julian, professor of wildlife resources. "There is cause to be careful, but not panicked. Public education has reduced the number of reported cases."

According to Amy Zuccolotto, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, three cases of hantavirus -- two of which were fatal -- have been reported in Pennsylvania since 1997.

Hantavirus was first diagnosed in the United States in the Four Corners area (shared by New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah) in 1993, when several young adults complained of acute respiratory distress. Half of those infected soon died. While Pennsylvania has reported only three cases -- two in the Allentown area in 1997 and one in southwest Pennsylvania in 1999 -- 38 percent of the individuals reported to have contracted the virus nationwide have died.

"Several species of wild rodents, such as the deer mouse and the white-footed mouse have been linked to the virus," says San Julian. "You could be at risk when doing anything that puts you in contact with rodent droppings, urine or nesting materials. Because the virus enters the lungs through contaminated dust, you should avoid touching rodent droppings and raising dust."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site lists recommendations for prevention and control (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/noframes/prevent.htm).

"They are simple precautions that most of us already follow when cleaning our houses," says San Julian. When cleaning cabins or deer camps:

• Keep rodents out of cabins and camps by blocking holes and filling cracks.
• Wash all dishes and utensils with hot soapy water and store food in rodent-proof containers.
• Air out buildings for at least 30 minutes before you start cleaning. Wear rubber gloves. Spray all materials or surfaces (wet thoroughly) with a general purpose disinfectant or detergent where droppings and urine are suspected. Most general purpose cleaners will do the job. For large areas, use a 10 percent household laundry bleach solution (1 1/2 cups of bleach per gallon of water). Pick up the wet material with a damp towel, then mop or wipe the area with disinfectant.
• When finished cleaning, bury or burn materials if feasible, or contact your local or state health department about how to dispose of them. Disinfect your gloves before removing them and then wash your hands with soap and warm water.

"The symptoms of the disease are nonspecific and include fever, fatigue and muscle aches," says San Julian. "Patients also may experience headaches, dizziness, chills and abdominal problems. Symptoms may begin one to five weeks after exposure. If symptoms occur, check with your physician and mention that you may have been exposed to rodent contamination." In later stages, four to 10 days later, patients experience coughing and shortness of breath.

If you want more information about the hantavirus or prevention methods, San Julian suggests contacting your local health department, or the CDC at the National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, or at 1-800-532-9929. You also can visit the CDC's Web site on the hantavirus at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/.

###

EDITORS: To contact Gary San Julian, please call 814-863-0401.

Contacts: Kim Dionis KDionis@psu.edu 814-863-2703 814-865-1068 fax