Hantavirus

Hantavirus is a relatively new term referring to a life threatening disease which first surfaced on Navajo reservations in New Mexico and has resulted in dozens of fatalities to date. This virally caused infection may have been around for years and would have gone unnoticed until the recent unexplained deaths of six people in 1993 resulted in a careful investigation of the virus.

The disease can strike suddenly and can become fatal within a short period of time. Hantavirus can be mistaken for an unexplained respiratory infection and is also referred to as hantaviral pulmonary syndrome. It is considered one of several recently discovered virally caused respiratory diseases that can in its initial stages mimic the flu, but progresses rapidly to a life threatening level.

Particular attention to the disease has been given in the southwest's four comer area where New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado meet. A 971-mile Navajo reservation located in New Mexico and Arizona was recently investigated by epidemiologists from the Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention to try to find the cause of this mysterious disease. Seventy-three cases of hantavirus have been reported in 18 states, with 42 fatalities. Currently, there is no cure for the disease. As a result, prevention has been stressed.

The hantavirus family name originates from the Hantaan River in Korea, where the first strain of the virus was discovered several years ago.

Hantavirus is transmitted by inhaling the virus or virus containing material carried by rodent urine, droppings or saliva. Deer mice droppings and urine can emit airborne particles which can be inhaled by humans. Three strains of hantavirus have been discovered to date. Factors which may increase the risk of hantavirus are heavy winter precipitation, which can result in an abundance of pinon nuts which feed rodents, and unclean living conditions which attract rodents.

Physical: Hantavirus symptoms mirror those of influenza. Possible symptoms include fever, muscle aches, coughing, red eyes, headache and in later stages, fluid- filled lungs which inhibit breathing. These symptoms usually develop two weeks after exposure and rapidly progress as the lungs fill with fluid. This viral infection invades the lung capillaries and causes them to leak. Hantavirus circulates in the bloodstream while initial symptoms appear and then seems to intensify when the immune system is activated against the virus.

Supplements and herbs

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids in therapeutic doses: Vitamin C is an antiviral agent that also helps to strengthen capillary walls, which are directly attacked by the hantavirus. Mega doses of vitamin C are recommended. Appropriate amounts should be discussed with a doctor.
Zinc: Helps to boost the immune system to fight viral infection.
Vitamin A emulsion: A powerful antioxidant which can enter the system quickly and fortify the immune system when under the stress of viral infection.
Germanium: Helps to intensify immune responses.
L-cysteine: An amino acid that helps to protect against viral infection.
Chlorophyll: Helps to remove toxins from the bloodstream.

Echinacea tea: Drink a strong brew several times a day. Echinacea has significant antiviral properties.
Pau d' arco tea: Drink this tea daily. It also is considered an herbal antiviral.
Catnip: good to help bring down fevers which accompany viruses.
Comfrey and fenugreek: Help to rebuild damaged lung tissue and promote drainage of lung fluids.
Garlic capsules: Considered a natural antiviral substance.
Siberian ginseng: Helps to heal respiratory passageways and promotes energy and recovery from debilitating conditions.
Buckwheat: Rich in rutin, which helps to repair damaged capillary walls.
Heartsease: Promotes healing of capillary walls.
Burdock root: Helps to purify the blood and detoxify poisons.

What else you can do

• Keep living areas clean.
• Decontaminate rodent nests and use spring, loaded traps baited with food to catch mice. Place the trap in newspaper that has been sprinkled with flea powder. Nests can be sprayed or dusted with insecticide for fleas. Wait one day and then disinfect with the procedures listed below.
• Don't leave old cars or junk piles in yards, where rodents might nest.
• Store all food in sealed containers.
• Place garbage in rodent-proof containers.
• Don't sleep on the ground or floor.
• Plug holes and crevices where rodents can enter. Even cracks as small as a quarter of an inch can allow a mouse to enter.
• If a live rodent is found is the home, use a trap and then spray the trap and the caught mouse with a disinfectant. Pick it up with a shovel or disposable rubber gloves and put rodent and trap in a double plastic bag. Place it in the garbage, or if in rural areas, bury it.
• If you have touched a rodent, wash your hands well and use a disinfectant rinse.
• If you have rodent infestation, do not sweep or vacuum until the area has been disinfected.
• Lysol or a mixture of 1 1/2 cups of chlorine bleach to a gallon of water can be used to mop and clean the area. Disinfect every item you used to clean with and throw everything away that was used for cleaning in sealed plastic bags.
• If you are in an area that is heavily infested by rodents, use a hepa filter mask to set traps and disinfect.