NMDOH officials are reassuring the public about hantavirus. According to officials, they say that the hantavirus strain found in New Mexico is different from the one causing illness abroad and spreading from person to person. Officials say the cruise ship infections are caused by the Andes Hantavirus, which is found in Argentina and Chile. No New Mexico residents were said to have been aboard the cruise ship. The name of the New Mexico strain is called Sin Nombre hantavirus and is transferred through direct contact with infected rodents, including when droppings or nests are disturbed. Sin Nombre does not spread between people. Andes hantavirus is the only strain known to spread from person to person, but it does not spread easily and requires close contact. To reduce your risk of contracting Sin Nombre hantavirus in New Mexico: Air out closed‐up buildings such as cabins and sheds, as well as abandoned or stored vehicles, before entering. Soak nests and droppings with a disinfectant such as a 10% bleach solution before wiping them up with paper towels. Use gloves and consider using a mask. Do not vacuum or sweep up rodent droppings because that can spread virus particles into the air where they can be inhaled. Put hay, wood, and compost piles as far as possible from your home and dispose of trash and junk piles. Trap mice and seal up homes to prevent rodents from entering. They say there is low risk to the general public at this time.
NMDOH officials are reassuring the public about the Hantavirus.
According to officials, they say that the Hantavirus strain found in New Mexico is different from the one causing illness abroad and spreading from person to person.
Officials say the cruise ship infections are caused by the Andes Hantavirus, which is found in Argentina and Chile. No New Mexico residents were said to have been aboard the cruise ship.
The name of the New Mexico strain is called Sin Nombre hantavirus and is transferred through direct contact with infected rodents – including when droppings or nests are disturbed. Sin Nombre does not spread between people.
Andes hantavirus is the only strain known to spread between person to person, but it does not spread easily and requires close contact.
To reduce your risk of contracting Sin Nombre hantavirus in New Mexico:
- Air out closed‐up buildings such as cabins and sheds, as well as abandoned or stored vehicles, before entering.
- Soak nests and droppings with a disinfectant such as a 10% bleach solution before wiping them up with paper towels. Use gloves and consider using a mask.
- Do not vacuum or sweep up rodent droppings because that can spread virus particles into the air where they can be inhaled.
- Put hay, wood, and compost piles as far as possible from your home and dispose of trash and junk piles.
- Trap mice and seal up homes to prevent rodents from entering.
They say there is low risk to the general public at this time.
