MOSES LAKE - A Grant County woman in her 30s died from exposure to Hantavirus, according to the Grant County Health District on Friday.

The woman was hospitalized and died on March 28. A health district investigation showed that the woman was likely exposed to the virus in Grant County.

The last Hantavirus patient in Grant County died of the disease in 2005.

"The Grant County Health District is saddened by her death," stated Grant County Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny. "Our deepest sympathy goes out to her family."

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is caused by exposure to a virus found in the urine, droppings and saliva of infected rodents. Deer mice may carry the disease in Washington state. People may be exposed to the virus by breathing air particles stirred from rodent droppings or nests.

Early signs of the disease include fever, muscle aches and fatigue. Some people experience headaches, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or stomach pain.

The virus is rare but fatal in about one in three cases and the health district encourages people to take precautions to prevent exposure, stated Shawta Sackett, community public health manager and epidemiologist for the health district.

Since 1993, 44 cases of Hantavirus were reported in Washington, according to the health district. Fifteen of those patients died. One to five cases of the virus are confirmed in Washington each year. Most occur in Eastern Washington.

The health district recommends people take the following cleaning measures to prevent exposure to the disease:

* Open all doors and windows at least 30 minutes before cleaning

* Wear gloves and a mask to protect from exposure

* Do not use vacuums, brooms, dusters or anything else that could stir up contaminated dust. Instead, thoroughly wet contaminated areas with a household disinfectant or bleach solution (1 1/2 cups bleach per gallon of water), let soak at least 10 minutes, use a damp towel to clean up the material, then mop or sponge the area with a bleach solution or household disinfectant.

* Spray dead rodents, nesting materials and feces with disinfectant until soaked, then double-bag them along with all cleaning materials.

* Disinfect gloves before removing them and thoroughly wash hands afterward.

The health district also recommends people take steps to keep rodents out of their homes. Buildings should be checked for gaps and holes, especially around pipes and vents and under doors. Gaps larger than the diameter of a dime are large enough for a mouse to pass through.

Indoor food sources should be properly sealed and spilled food should be cleaned up immediately. Pet food should be put away after use and garbage should be in plastic or metal containers with tight lids.

Outdoor food sources and nesting can be reduced by cleaning up trash, controlling weeds, keeping grains and animal feed in plastic or metal containers with a tight lid and moving wood piles at least 100 feet from the home.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/hantavirus or www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/factsheet/hanta.htm.