GENEVA, N.Y. — A suspected case of Hantavirus has been identified in Ontario County involving a Geneva High School student.
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News10NBC’s Adelisa Badzic spoke with residents in Ontario County about the case. Many said they are not worried because the local strain does not spread person to person, but they plan to take some precautions.
Sherri Coleburse, an Ontario County resident whose family owns a barn, said she has no real concerns at this point.
“Washing our hands more when we come in from the barn or when we’re out. Washing hands is going to be a big deal,” Coleburse said.
Tim Jackling, owner and operator of Pest Express LLC, serves Ontario, Monroe, Wayne and Livingston counties. He said he does not have any concerns at this time but has been receiving calls from worried residents.
“Keep your yard clean, keep your home clean and free of clutter and debris. Rodents like to harbor in those areas. The more that you clean up those areas and the less harbor areas you have, the more likely you’ll be to not live with rodents,” Jackling said.
He said the data shows there is not much risk. “You have a better chance of hitting the Powerball today than you have of getting this virus,” Jackling said.
Dr. Anja Bottler, service line division chief for infectious disease at Rochester Regional Health, said Hantavirus has been around for a long time. Since the mid-1990s, there have been about 900 cases nationwide and six in New York state. “It is a very uncommon infection,” Bottler said.
The virus is transmitted through mouse droppings, saliva or urine. Initial symptoms typically start between seven and 14 days after exposure and include fever, headache and feeling run down. In some cases, the virus can cause severe pneumonia.
Bottler said there is no treatment for Hantavirus except supportive care. The best way to stay safe is to control rodents in and around your home.
“You do not want to try to start vacuuming and sweeping and mixing this up and aerosolizing these droppings,” Bottler said. The strain found in New York does not spread person to person. The Andes virus, which has some reported transmission between people, is not found in New York or any eastern parts of the United States.
Dr. Bottler said this is very different from COVID-19.
Health officials are using this case as an opportunity to spread awareness about using masks and other protective measures when cleaning areas where rodents may have been present.
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