If you’ve been paying attention to the news or social media lately, then you’ve seen all the news about COVID-19, but you may have also noticed another story that has popped up: The Hantavirus.
After a report of a man contracting Hantavirus and dying from it in China, there has been concern that this disease will be the next pandemic and may arise alongside COVID-19. Naturally, some people are worried.
But should you be concerned about the Hantavirus?
Like COVID-19, Hantavirus is a respiratory disease, and it does exist worldwide. However, this disease has been around for quite some time, and there have been confirmed cases in the US since 1959. However, cases are rare, and there have been less than 800 cases confirmed since 1993.
Most cases of Hantavirus are spread from rodents to humans, either through the bite of an infected animal or through the inhalation of infected rodent feces, urination, or saliva. It is possible to have human-to-human transmission, but the likelihood of one person transmitting it to another is considered to be extremely low. Human-to-human transmission is rare, and infection is more likely to occur in rural areas, rather than urban, unlike COVID-19.
What Hantavirus Can Teach Us About Rodents in Our Homes
The Hantavirus may not be the next pandemic we have to worry about, and the chance of you contracting this respiratory disease is extremely low. However, there are some things that we can learn from diseases like the Hantavirus that spread from rodents to humans.
The lesson is the dangers that rodents can expose us to when they enter our homes. Throughout history, rodents have been notorious for spreading infectious disease, at times leading to wide-spread illnesses.
When rodents infest your home, most people just worry about the damage they can cause, but the real damage can be to your health. When rodents come into your home, they leave behind urine, feces, and bodily fluids, and if the rodent is infected with a disease, that illness can then be transmitted to the people that reside in your home.
Hantavirus isn’t the only disease you should be concerned about, as rodents in the US are also known for spreading diseases like Bartenellosis, Tularemia, Salmonellosis, Rat Bite Fever, and Leptospirosis. Rodents can also make your allergies or asthma worse.
Signs You May Have Unwanted Rodents
Do you have rodents in your home?
No one wants their home infested with rodents. They cause damage to your home, and they can endanger the health of your family. If you suspect that rodents may be hiding in your home, contact Attic Projects right away for a free inspection. We will come out for an inspection, and if we find evidence of rodents, we will discuss a plan of action that can include rodent and waste removal, sanitation and decontamination, and rodent proofing.
Once we get rid of the rodents, we guarantee they won’t come back with a 5-year warranty.
If you think you have rodents in your home, here are some signs to be on the lookout for:
- Rodent Droppings
- Squeaking, scratching, or scurrying noises
- Gnaw marks or chewed electrical
- Grease or dirt smudges
- Disturbed insulation
Protect Your Home From Rodents with Attic Projects
You may not have to worry about Hantavirus spreading like COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean you should just forget about it. Instead, see it as a reminder of the dangers rodents can have. They can spread disease and cause illness in the people you care about most.
When rodents come into your home, they can endanger your family’s health. If you think you have rodents in your home, contact Attic Projects and let our highly-trained team visit your home for a rodent inspection.
