Hantavirus confirmed in South Reno just weeks after health offices confirmed rabies in local bats
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Sat, 08/17/2019 - 11:24am
According to several media outlets just weeks after rabies was confirmed in several Washoe County bats, a south Reno resident had been confirmed to be infected with Hantavirus, which is a respiratory disease contracted by breathing in the fecal matter of mice and rodents infected with the virus.
Plague, rabies and Hantavirus are not unheard of in our area, especially in the mountains, but this is the first reported case of Hantavirus in Washoe County since 2017.
Symptoms of the virus can develop as early as a few days, but as long as up to six weeks after being exposed.
Early symptoms include fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, chills and dizziness.
Further developed symptoms can appear four to ten days after the early symptoms and they include shortness of breath and fluid buildup in the lungs.
Health officials say there is no specific treatment for hantavirus, but anyone with symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
Residents should take extra care when working in confirmed areas such as attics, basements, or crawl spaces, especially in areas where mice are known to traffic.
In addition, hikers and campers should be wary as well.
