Tips to avoid deadly hantavirus, spot symptoms

A grieving mother is trying to educatepeople about the rare but deadly hantavirus, ashealth officials in Saskatchewan areissuing their annual warning about the disease.

• Grieving family warns others of rare but deadly hantavirus

Hantavirus, which killed 26-year-oldRobyn Young in June 2014, is transmitted by breathingin contaminated particles from deer micedroppings, urine and saliva.

Young's motherJulia McIsaacis hoping doctors inwestern Canada where all but one of the country's cases have occurred get educated, along with their prospective patients.

Hantavirus symptoms, which are flu-like in nature,include:

• Fever.
• Muscle aches.
• Coughing.
• Headaches.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Shortness of breath.
• Respiratory failure.

Health officials say people should seek medical attention if the symptoms arise within one to six weeks of exposure to rodent droppings.

The Ministry of Health has a number of tips when cleaning rodent-invested areas, including:

• Ensure the area is well-ventilated and air it out at least 30 minutes before cleaning.
• Use a wet mop and wear rubber or plastic gloves.
• Wear goggles and a filter mask when cleaning areas that are contaminated.
• Dampen contaminated areas with bleach disinfectant and remove the droppings with a damp mop or cloth
• Avoid dusting, sweeping and vacuuming areas.
• Steam clean, shampoo or spray furniture with soap, disinfectant or a bleach and water mixture.
• Wash clothesand bedding with soap and hot water.

There have been 30 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Saskatchewan since 1994,10 of whichresulted in death.