09/16/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2024 13:48
Two mice collected from a campground trail at San Onofre State Beach, as part of ongoing surveillance to protect public health, have tested positive for the potentially deadly hantavirus. County Vector Control team is working with campground officials to notify campground visitors and staff.
Finding hantavirus in wild rodents is not uncommon in San Diego County, these are the 19thand 20thfindings in mice in 2024. However, people rarely come into direct contact with infected animals because wild rodents naturally avoid humans.
While exposure to hantavirus is rare, people should be careful around wild rodents as there is no cure or vaccine for hantavirus.
Symptoms of hantavirus usually develop between 1-8 weeks after exposure and include:
If you think that you may have been exposed to hantavirus, seek medical attention immediately.
Preventing Infection
People can be exposed to hantavirus when wild rodents invade their living area. Infected rodents shed the virus in their urine, feces and saliva. Once the matter dries, it can be stirred into the air where people could inhale the virus.
If people find wild rodents, nests or signs of them in their living spaces, they should always use "wet cleaning" methods - using bleach or other disinfectants, rubber gloves and bags. They should NOT sweep or vacuum, which could stir hantavirus into the air where it could be inhaled.
Avoid Exposure to Hantavirus
"Wet cleaning" Methods
For more information, contact the County Environmental Health and Quality at (858) 694-2888 or visit the hantavirus web page.