The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services last week confirmed a case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in a Flathead County resident. This case is one of 35 HPS cases reported in Montana since 1993. Montana typically sees one to two cases a year. This is the third in 2012, and county health officials are advising residents of steps they can take to protect themselves.

Hantavirus cases often increase as people begin to clean their garages and sheds in the warmer spring weather. Cleaning activities can disturb nesting materials contaminated with dried saliva, urine or droppings from infected deer mice. The disturbed nesting materials become airborne and the air is inhaled causing an exposure to the virus.

Symptoms can begin one to six weeks after becoming infected with the virus. The illness typically starts with 3-5 days of “flu-like” symptoms including fever, sore muscles, headaches, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Within a few days the illness rapidly progresses to severe shortness of breath.

Early diagnosis of Hantavirus and immediate medical care increase the likelihood of a full recovery. Individuals exposed to rodents or their waste that experience symptoms should immediately seek medical treatment and notify their provider that they have been around rodents or rodent wastes.

For more information, visit online at www.flatheadhealth.org or call the county health department at 751-8101.