Hantavirus in Australia

Hantavirus can be a very bad illness to get. However, it is completely avoidable through excellent hygiene and control. In this article, we will look at what hantavirus is, what causes it, and the potential prevention you can take to ensure that you have the best quality of life.

What is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is a family of viruses spread through the movements of rodents. There are various symptoms worldwide, depending on the specific rodent that has transmitted the disease. The virus is spread through various means including through urine, faeces, and saliva.

What is the Hantavirus Fatality Rate?

Hantavirus is one of the most dangerous illnesses to spread from rodents to humans. The expected fatality rate of any infection is 38%.

Complications from hantavirus can make living very challenging even if you survive the initial infection. One potential lethal complication is sepsis, where the body can start to overproduce immune responses and attack the organs. If the patient goes into septic shock, the fatality rate can be as high as 50%.

Do All Mice Carry Hantavirus?

While all mice can carry hantavirus, it does not mean that all mice are carriers. While this might seem like a good thing, it doesn’t make a difference. Instead, all that it says is that any rodent can carry one of the hantavirus family groups.

Infographic from: "New hantavirus case suspected; it may signify rising risk in King County"

Can You Get Hantavirus From Old Mouse Droppings?

One of the common issues that people think is that old mouse droppings might not carry the disease. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Older droppings are not only just as risky, but because they have been around for a long time, it means that they could have developed a larger culture of the virus.

There are certain precautions that you must take if you want to protect yourself. For instance, when cleaning, you should wear clothes that you can wash immediately. In addition, you should also wear disposable gloves, a face mask, and eye protection.

What are the Hantavirus Symptoms?

There are early symptoms that can include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches. These aches are particularly bad in the thighs, hips, and back. Patients might also experience headaches, dizziness, chills, and abdominal problems.

After about four to ten days, other symptoms can include coughing and shortness of breath.

How Common is Hantavirus in Australia?

The Australian government reports that there have been no reported cases of humans catching hantavirus in Australia. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t present in the country. Research has shown that all rodents in the country could carry the virus.

As a result, it is just human behaviour that has prevented a human from definitely catching the virus and becoming ill. That said, it could be possible that in the future the disease will be found. Therefore, good hygiene is required for no cases to establish themselves.

How to Prevent Hantavirus in Australia

To prevent hantavirus in Australia, it is important to control the rodent populations in the country. There are lots of different options that can help with this.

1. Don’t Have Food Stores Insecure
   
   One of the first things to consider is that food stores shouldn’t be insecure. Cupboards, fridges, and freezers should be secure from potential access from mice and rats. Mice can access any location that allows them to get their heat into, which can be very small. Therefore, you should check that there are no small gaps that lead to the outside of the building.

2. Use Ultrasonic Devices
   
   
   
   Pictured above: Envirobug Stealthy 360 Degree Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
   
   Pictured Above: Envirobug Mighty Plug-in Ultrasonic Pest Repeller 
   
   Numerous ultrasonic devices can repel mice and rats from your home. These devices, like the one sold by Envirobug, emit a noise that is irritable to mice and rats but does not cause pain to any pets or humans.These devices can be placed inside your home and used as a way to deter them with ease.

3. Keep Bins Secure
   
   One aspect that is going to attract mice and rats to your home is bins. Keeping bins in a secure storage area, with the lids tightly fitted to the top can be critical. It is also important to consider that when bins are being collected no bags are left available to be scavenged from.
   
   And while on the subject of waste, it isn’t just bins that should be kept clear. Any rubbish pile at the home, whether it is a compost heap or an organic waste deposit should be kept secure from rodents.

4. Minimise Hiding Spots
   
   One particular issue is that there can be mice or rats living on your property in abandoned or hidden parts. If you have a garage, shed, or outbuilding that is often ignored, then the mice and rats can live there.
   
   Disturbing this area and keeping it clean, even if you do not have a particular use for the outbuilding, can be a good way to minimise your rat/mice problems.

5. Traps
   
   Traps are a lethal way to reduce rat/mice populations in the area. However, they can also be effective. When cleaning traps, remember to always take precautions against catching the virus by wearing the best protective clothing you can use.

6. Natural Preventions
   
   Natural prevention can include having a dog, cat, or a flock of chickens on the property. Chickens often don’t have the best reputation, but chickens are pack hunts and a group of six or more can easily hunt and kill large rats who threaten them.
   
   Some plants can create odours that rats and mice don’t like. For instance, they don’t like garlic, lavender, daffodils, sage and mint. If you have these in your garden and home, you can prevent the mice.
   
   And it is really important to consider water supplies. While mice can survive several days without access to water. However, rats cannot survive without access to water for 24 hours.

Final Word: Hantavirus in Australia

Hantavirus in Australia isn’t a significant problem as there have been no human cases. But that doesn’t mean that mice and rats in the area don’t carry the disease and it is a possibility. Therefore, good hygiene and carefully reducing mice and rat populations should be the aim to prevent infections.

Pictured above: Envirobug Stealthy 360 Degree Ultrasonic Pest Repeller