KNOCKOUT – RODENTS; THE HANTAVIRUS; THE DEATH OF A DOCTOR ON LONG ISLAND, NY, WHO WAS JUST VACUUMING; AND WHY SOMETIMES YOU SHOULDN’T VACUUM

June 28, 2011

The unexpected death of a 35 year old Chiropractor in Montauk this past June 17th, was tragic and the cause to many was startling. All Dr. David Hartstein, a father of three, did was vacuum his basement floor following a small flood due to heavy rains the previous week. What he did not know was that lurking within the dark basement were HANTAVIRUS spores, that when disturbed and discarded into the air by the vacuum cleaner, entered into his lungs where he developed a HANTAVIRUS pulmonary syndrome. At first thought to be the flu or possible an acute stage of Lyme disease, but after his admission to South Hampton Hospital it was later determined to be the rare and highly deadly HANTAVIRUS.

HANTAVIUS, sometimes referred to as HPS, is a virus that is usually transmitted to people through the inhalation of rodent feces (dropping), urine, and saliva that has become dried and its particulates have become airborne and are breathed into someone’s respiratory system. There is no vaccine and no known cure for HANTAVIRUS. If diagnosed in its early stages and acute medical intervention is provided the usually fatal disease’s high death rate can drop from 100% to 40%. Less than half, but it is a seriously high rate of mortality.

This death by HANTAVIRUS brings attention to the residences and commercial properties that may be vacant AND have a rodent problem. It is in these areas undisturbed by people, lack good ventilation, and do not let sunlight, with its purifying ultraviolet rays, light up a room, that are ideal for rodents to breed and grow the HANTAVIRUS spores. Owners of summer vacation homes, people entering long vacated homes and properties like foreclosed homes, should be aware of the HANATVIUS risk. This can be particularly true for individuals who are in REAL ESTATE, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, HOME/BUILDING INSPECTORS, and CLEANING/JANITORIAL SERVICES who find themselves entering empty buildings filled with dust particles and “may” have a rodent problem. Attention should also be given to other spaces besides homes, like rarely used sheds, garages, storage units, and warehouse spaces.

It is because of this health risk, that KNOCKOUT PEST CONTROL is offering a few simple precautions and cleaning information where there may be a risk of being exposed to the HANTAVIRUS. The Department of Health and Human Services, the Center for Disease Control, and the New York State Pest Management Association suggest these guidelines.

1. Prevent rodents from entering a space in the first place; and if mice or rats do enter an area; call a professional pest control company to exterminate the rodent problem, properly clean the area including the removal of nests, and address the means by which rodents entered the space.
2. When entering an long vacated area for the first time, wear a surgical mask or other breathing filter to protect yourself from inhaling dust particles.
3. Walk into a space slowly, as not to disturb the dust and make it airborne.
4. Let natural light into a room by opening blinds, shades, or curtains.
5. When you first enter an area ONLY open windows slightly to allow for ventilation. A strong breeze can disturb particles and make them airborne.
6. Without making a disturbance check for signs of rodents, ie: droppings or urine stains.
7. Before performing any cleaning, NOW OPEN doors and windows WIDE to let air and light into the space. Ultraviolet rays from the sun help make the HANTAVIRUS inactive.
8. If you suspect a rodent problem, call a professional pest control company to inspect and if necessary exterminate the rodent problem and address any access issues and nesting conditions.
9. To clean the area, it is important to wear protective eyewear, a breathing filter, and rubber gloves.
10. DO NOT VACUUM, we repeat DO NOT VACUUM. This is instinctually what most people do, but the CDC says, even if you have a HEPA filter on your vacuum – DO NOT VACUUM.
11. DO NOT DRY SWEEP, again, DO NOT DRY SWEEP. As with vacuuming, dry sweeping a floor will simply make the fine particles airborne.
12. Have a lot of plastic garbage bags and paper towels ready.
13. Get a disinfectant spray, that actually uses the word “disinfectant” on the bottle. If your surface areas can deal with a bleach & water mixture, beach is an effectively strong disinfectant.
14. Spray areas of fecal deposits and urine stains with the disinfectant til saturation and let it sit and soak for at least 5 minutes.
15. With gloved hands, use a paper towel to remove the loosened droppings and reconstituted urine. Dispose of soiled paper towels in plastic garbage bags.
16. Then make a soap and hot water mixture, with some added disinfectant and thoroughly wash the area with sponges and/or mops.
17. Rodent soiled & contaminated furniture, rugs, and carpets should either be thrown away OR commercially steam cleaned and shampooed.
18. Any contaminated clothing or bedding should be washed in a washing machine in HOT water and put in a drier on HIGH HEAT.
19. Soak any and all dishes and cooking utensils in a disinfectant and wash in hot soapy water. Do the same for any plastic toys.
20. Some things you’re just going to throw away in a garbage bags.
21. After use, discard any used sponges, mop heads, and gloves.
22. Wash your hands for at least 5 minutes in very warm water, with soap, after you have completed.
23. Again, call a professional pest control company to inspect the space and property for rodents, not only will they be able to identify a problem and solve the problem, they can also provide you with many tips of how NOT to attract rodents to YOUR spaces.

I know that this KATZ ON PESTS blog posting is a little longer than usual (not that any are brief) but I want to make sure that everyone understands the risks of the HANTAVIRUS, however rare, and if they have any questions to look around our website: www.knockoutpest.com or call us at 1.800.244.7378, about rodents or any residential or commercial pest.

And finally, on behalf of myself and the entire KNOCKOUT PEST CONTROL family, we send our heartfelt condolences to the Hartstein family.

Comments

COMMENT BY: Sylvia – 07/14/11

[You] Always have the best content from these prodigious writers.

COMMENT BY: John from Chelsea – 07/14/11

I read more than I wanted to know. Feeling a little green, a little scared, and a little grossed out. Great post though.

COMMENT BY: Jennifer – 07/22/11

I am a fan, and always grateful of the care you take with the information you present – and I greatly appreciated your article on the origins of the [bed bug] epidemic, among others.

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