NEW MEXICO CONFIRMS ITS SECOND HANTAVIRUS DEATH OF THE YEAR … AND DR. PAUL ETTESTAD WITH THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THE 12 YEAR OLD MCKINLEY COUNTY BOY WHO GOT SICK EARLY THIS MONTH IS THE YOUNGEST PERSON TO DIE OF THE DISEASE IN NEW MEXICO SINCE IT SURFACED IN 1993.
ETTESTAD TELLS US WE USUALLY HEAR ABOUT HANTAVIRUS CASES IN THE SPRING OR SUMMER. BUT IT'S BEEN SO COLD THAT DEER MICE ARE SLIPPING INTO HOMES HOWEVER THEY CAN IN SEARCH OF FOOD, WATER, AND WARMTH.
PEOPLE CONTRACT HANTAVIRUS FROM THE DROPPINGS AND SALIVA OF DEER MICE. ETTESTAD SAYS CHECK UNDER SINKS, IN YOUR LAUNDRY ROOM, UNDER DOORS AND ANYWHERE THE MICE MIGHT GET IN. IF YOU FIND DROPPINGS, SPRAY WITH DISINFECTANT … THEN WIPE THEM UP INSTEAD OF USING A VACUUM CLEANER.
