Campo Area Tested Positive for Hantavirus

June 24, 2004

A San Diego county health official said Thursday that wild mice trapped in the Campo area tested positive for the hantavirus, which is sometimes a fatal disease that is similar to the influenza virus. 

Gary Erbeck, the director of the county Department of Environmental Health said that there have been isolated cases of hantavirus infected wild mice in San Diego county in four of the past five years. 

This announcement came just days after it was learned that a 32-year-old East County woman had contracted

Disease and recovered.  The hantavirus is usually carried by deer mice. 

The Department of Environmental Health suggests that areas that may be contaminated by dead rodents, their droppings or nests be well ventilated for several hours, then disinfected for 15 minutes before being cleaned with gloves and either a sponge or mop.  Sweeping and vacuuming the suspected areas should be avoided as this activity could stir up contaminated dust. 

Since the disease was recognized 11 years ago, 41 cases have been reported in California.   

• Agents and their families that live in the Campo and surrounding areas should ensure that they follow the precautions mentioned above when dealing with suspected infected areas in or around their homes. 

• Young children who tend to “explore” the rural areas around their homes should be warned of the risk of contamination. 

• Agents who enter unoccupied and/or abandoned buildings while working in these rural areas can protect them selves by wearing disposable “one use” gloves and dawning breathing masks that filter out dust particles.