COVID-19 isn’t the only virus in the news lately. There have also been reports of people contracting the Hantavirus, and naturally, some people are worried. What is the Hantavirus, and is this another upcoming virus that we should be concerned about?
The Hantavirus is a respiratory disease like COVID-19, and the death of a man in China who contracted it has raised concerns online and in the media. While the Hantavirus does exist worldwide, it is probably not the next big disease that you should be concerned about. In fact, the Hantavirus isn’t very new and has existed within the US since 1959, plus there have been less than 800 cases confirmed since 1993.
The Hantavirus is spread from animal to human through the inhalation of infected rodent feces, urine, and saliva, or if a person is bitten by an infected rodent. If a person contracts the Hantavirus, the likelihood of it being spread to another person is extremely low. Human-to-human transmission is very rare, and people who are infected typically live in rural areas, rather than larger cities. Unlike COVID-19, there is very little risk of the disease spreading through a community and infecting multiple people.
What Can We Learn From the Hantavirus?
While the chance of you contracting the Hantavirus is extremely low, the way people are infected can teach us a broader lesson about the dangers that rodents can present when they enter the areas where we live and work.
The Hantavirus is spread through to the feces, urine, and saliva of infected rodents. However, this isn’t the only disease that can be spread by rodents who infest your home. In fact, rodents are notorious for transmitting disease when they enter your home.
When a rodent decides to make its home where you live, it doesn’t just cause damage to your property, it also leaves behind feces and urine, which can then be spread through your home by way of your home’s air ducts. These particles can infect you or your family and make you sick.
Other than Hantavirus, diseases that are transmitted through rodents in the US include, Leptospirosis, Rat Bite Fever, Salmonellosis, Tularemia, and Bartonellosis. Rodents can also worsen allergies and asthma for many individuals.
Signs You Might Have a Rodent Problem
Think you might have rodents in your home?
The last thing you want is for rodents to be coming into your home, causing damage and endangering your family. If you think you may have rodents, give attic projects a call. We can come out and give a free inspection. If we find rodents, we will come up with a plan with you to remove the pests, clean rodent waste, sanitize, and rodent proof your home, so they don’t come back.
Here are some signs you want to be on the lookout for if you suspect rodents:
- Rodent Droppings
- Gnaw marks or chewed electrical
- Scratching, squeaking or scurrying noises
- Disturbed insulation
- Grease or dirt smudges
Protect Your Home From Rodents with Attic Projects
Hantavirus may be in the news, but it isn’t something that you will have to worry about becoming the next pandemic. However, we can take away a lesson about the danger that rodents can present.
When rodents infest your home, they can put you and your family at risk. Give Attic Projects a call to have our skilled team of technicians come out and inspect your home. We’ll give you the confidence of a clean, rodent-free home.
