Grand Canyon Times

At the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), the focus remains on safeguarding and improving the health of all Arizonans. The department's mission is to provide clear, credible, and timely health information, especially concerning the recent increase in hantavirus cases in Arizona.

Since 2012, Arizona has reported between zero to five cases of hantavirus annually. As of August 9, there are nine confirmed cases this year, including three fatalities across Apache, Coconino, Navajo, and Pima counties. Notably, this marks only the second documented case in Pima County's history.

Hantaviruses are carried by various wild rodents such as deer mice. Infected animals do not show visible signs of illness. Although hantavirus cases are rare in Arizona and typically occur in northern rural regions, the virus can be found throughout the southwestern United States.

Exposure to hantaviruses occurs through inhalation of infected particles from rodent saliva, urine or droppings, or direct contact with wild rodents or their nesting materials. It is not transmitted person-to-person.

Symptoms usually appear within one to five weeks after exposure and include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, chills, and gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting. Severe respiratory symptoms may develop four to ten days after initial symptoms begin.

The virus can cause a severe illness known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). ADHS advises individuals experiencing symptoms who have had recent rodent exposure to seek medical attention promptly.

Preventative measures at home include sealing entry points larger than 1/4-inch with steel wool or cement and reducing outdoor clutter that could house rodents. Indoors, use traps for rodent control and ensure proper disposal methods.

When outdoors:

- Avoid sleeping on bare ground.

- Keep campsites free from garbage.

- Store food securely.

- Avoid handling live or dead rodents or disturbing their nests.

For areas with rodent activity:

- Clean using EPA-registered disinfectants.

- Ventilate spaces before cleaning.

- Disinfect thoroughly before cleanup.

- Dispose of waste properly while wearing protective gloves.

ADHS collaborates closely with local health departments for public health monitoring of hantavirus cases. They provide resources for investigations and offer confirmatory testing at the Arizona State Public Health Lab due to potential false positives from commercially available tests.

Data is also reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for national trend analysis and consultation with experts to ensure up-to-date information is accessible in Arizona.

Understanding risk factors for prevention and recognizing symptoms remain crucial despite the rarity of hantavirus infections.