On May 16, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) confirmed that a resident of Douglas County had died after contracting this rodent-borne virus.
Health officials confirmed that the case had no connection to the recent virus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which killed three people and infected at least 10 others.
Preliminary evidence suggests the victim likely contracted the disease through contact with local rodents. Specifically, the individual is believed to have been infected with the Sin Nombre strain of Hantavirus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is the most common cause of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). However, health officials emphasize that the Sin Nombre strain is not transmitted from person to person like the rare Andes strain. Other personal information about the patient has not yet been released.
Health authorities say Hanta virus infections caused by the Sin Nombre strain are still common in Colorado, primarily occurring in the spring and summer. This is a disease that can cause serious respiratory problems and sometimes lead to death.
In Colorado, the rat-deer is the most common rodent that transmits the virus to humans. Generally, this infectious disease spreads through species such as rat-deer, cotton rats, rice rats, and white-footed rats. Humans are usually infected through bites or accidental contact with the urine, feces, and saliva of infected animals.
According to the CDC, Hantavirus infection can lead to HPS pulmonary syndrome, which presents with a range of concerning symptoms. Patients often experience fever, fatigue, and muscle pain, particularly in the thighs, hips, back, and shoulders.
Patients will also experience coughing, shortness of breath, and possibly chest tightness due to fluid buildup in the lungs. These symptoms typically begin to appear between one and eight weeks after exposure to infected rodents.
The CDC warns that HPS is a very serious and potentially fatal disease. While it is treatable if detected early, symptoms can still worsen suddenly and become life-threatening.
To prevent infection, health officials note that the best way is to stay away from rodents, as well as their waste and nesting sites. People can proactively minimize their risk of illness by eliminating rodent habitats in their homes, workplaces, or campsites.
People are also advised to seal any holes and gaps around their homes or garages to prevent rats from entering, and to use traps to control their breeding.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/xac-nhan-ca-tu-vong-do-virus-hanta-tai-my.html
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