Quad-County Reports Hantavirus Case; Officials Advise Precautions
Carson City Health and Human Services confirms a hantavirus case in the Quad-County region (Storey, Lyon, Douglas counties and Carson City). There is no current threat to public health, and no additional case details will be released. Hantavirus is a rodent-borne respiratory illness; early symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle aches and can progress to coughing and shortness of breath. If exposure or symptoms occur, contact a healthcare provider. To reduce risk, minimize contact with rodents and their habitats, avoid sweeping contaminated areas, clean with a 1:9 bleach-to-water solution while wearing gloves and a mask, seal entry points, and store food in rodent-proof containers; the white-footed deer mouse is a common carrier in Northern Nevada.