As a busy homeowner, you have enough going on in your daily life that it can be easy to overlook things going on in your home. As you run your kids back and forth to their activities and manage your workload, warning signs that something is wrong can sometimes slip through the cracks.
For example, an occasional thump over your head or a scratching sound that is hard to place can easily be played off in the hustle and bustle of life. But what happens when those sounds become more common or persistent?
You might be dealing with a pest infestation and not even know it! Unfortunately, pest infestations, especially mice and bat problems, need to be dealt with immediately. The longer you wait, the more dangerous it can become for your family. Mice and bats can cause significant damage to your home, and they can also make you sick if they are infected with hantavirus.
So, what is hantavirus, and is hantavirus contagious to humans? Let’s explore more about this potentially deadly disease below.
Hantavirus is a family of viruses that are most commonly transmitted from rodents like mice and rats, and it can also be transmitted through infected bats. The most common illness under the hantavirus umbrella is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, or HPS.
Rodents and bats can carry the virus without experiencing symptoms themselves, but they can transfer the virus to humans through direct or indirect contact.
Urine, droppings, guano, and saliva can all carry small amounts of the infection. If these hazardous substances become aerosolized, they can travel through the air and infect anyone in your family. All it takes is a single inhalation, and you can become really sick in just a few days.
You can also become sick if you touch anything contaminated in your home. Mouse nests, entry points, and residue like droppings or bat guano can carry the virus as well, so accidentally touching the infected surface can also make you sick.
It’s important to remember that not all mice and bats carry hantavirus, however. Approximately 10-20% of all deer mice are estimated to have the virus, and it has been reported that some bat populations have a 30% infection rate. Unfortunately, the animals in your attic won’t show symptoms themselves, so it will be impossible to tell if your mouse infestation is infected with hantavirus.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a serious disease that can be dangerous or even deadly. If you see a mouse or a bat in your attic or are actively dealing with an infestation, watch yourself for the appearance of unusual symptoms. Hantavirus infections typically develop anywhere from one to eight weeks after exposure.
Common symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome include:
If you develop any of these symptoms, it is best to get checked out as soon as possible. Left unchecked, the infection will progress further into your respiratory system. It will invade your capillaries, which are the small blood vessels in your lungs. This invasion will cause them to leak. This leakage will cause your lungs to fill with fluid, resulting in respiratory and heart problems.
Over time, you can experience symptoms such as shortness of breath or tightness in the chest. Seeking medical assistance early on can help you avoid serious respiratory distress or even death. Left untreated, hantavirus results in death in approximately 30-40% of cases.
Thankfully, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is not contagious from person to person. Since the virus particles have to be inhaled, coming into contact with an infected person is not likely to result in infection for you.
However, taking action right away by seeking medical assistance for the infected person is vital. While there is no specific treatment or cure, there are certain supportive care strategies, like oxygen therapy and respiratory support practices, that can be used to improve outcomes. If you suspect an infection, don’t wait to be evaluated.
Anyone can become infected with hantavirus, but you are at a higher risk of infection if you live near a wooded area or have areas of your property that aren’t used frequently. Farmers, outdoor laborers, cleaners, or anyone in a service field that works in attics or basements needs to be on higher alert.
However, even if none of those scenarios apply to you, you still need to exercise caution around your home. Address any mouse infestations you encounter right away, and never assume that seeing a mouse or bat in your attic is a singular incident. Always err on the side of caution and investigate carefully.
With the help of trained pest removal specialists, of course! Tackling a pest problem is always easier when you enlist the help of trained professionals. A fully licensed and insured team will ensure the proper steps are taken to secure your attic space while also removing the potentially dangerous infestation.
Since hantavirus is transmitted through airborne particles, extreme cautionary measures are taken to secure the area to prevent disturbing nests, droppings, etc. Your air will be filtered, and your attic space will undergo a deep cleaning after the mice or bats are humanely removed.
Failing to hire a professional mouse removal team will only increase your risk of exposure to hantavirus. It can also increase your risk of having the mouse infestation simply come back after you go back down to your living area.
A professional team understands how animals get into your home, so they can locate and secure their entry points to keep them out for good.
Hantavirus can be scary, and it should always be taken seriously. If you suspect you are dealing with an infestation, call the team at Master Attic right away for a thorough removal and cleaning immediately to keep your family safe and healthy.
Are you dealing with a mouse or bat infestation? Let us help. Call Master Attic today at (800) 285-4009, and we will tackle your mouse infestation safely and carefully.
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