The New Mexico Department of Health has confirmed the first case of hantavirus in 2024, raising concerns about the potentially severe respiratory disease. A San Juan County man was hospitalized but has been released and is currently recovering at home, according to NMDOH.
Hantavirus is known to be a severe, and at times fatal, respiratory illness. In 2023, New Mexico witnessed seven reported hantavirus cases in residents of McKinley, San Juan, and Taos counties, with two reported fatalities.
Health officials emphasize that deer mice are the primary carriers of the virus, often found in their droppings and urine. The virus poses a risk to individuals around homes, cabins, or sheds, especially when cleaning or exploring enclosed areas with mouse droppings.
Symptoms typically manifest 1-6 weeks after exposure and include fever, muscle aches, and may be accompanied by chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cough. In severe cases, abdominal pain and cough can progress to respiratory distress and severe illness.
To reduce the risk of exposure, officials recommend avoiding contact with rodents and their nests. Key preventive measures include:
- Air out closed-up structures like cabins, sheds, and abandoned vehicles before entering.
- Implement effective mouse trapping until all mice are eliminated.
- Seal homes and shelters to prevent rodent entry.
- Use a disinfectant, such as a 10% bleach solution, to soak nests and droppings before cleaning them up.
- Avoid sweeping up rodent droppings in a way that may lead to inhalation.
- Keep hay, wood, and compost piles away from your home.
- Dispose of trash and junk piles promptly.
- Prevent mice access to pet food and water.
As health authorities urge caution, these steps are crucial to minimizing the risk of hantavirus exposure and ensuring community safety.
