Canada : Hantavirus Reported In Rural Alberta, Health Officials Advise On Precautions

Via The Global Dispatch, excerpt :

" The Alberta Health Services is advising area residents of a rural community in central Alberta, and all Albertans, to take simple precautions to protect themselves after health officials reported a case of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) from the area.

“Because humans can be exposed to Hantavirus when the urine or feces of an infected rodent – such as a mouse – become airborne, anyone who disturbs areas of mice or mice droppings can be at risk,” says Dr. Ifeoma Achebe, Medical Officer of Health – Central Zone. “It is essential that Albertans take precautions to protect themselves, and greatly reduce their risk of illness."

US : Fatal case of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome reported in Montana

Article from Liberty County Times, excerpt :

" The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has confirmed the first hantavirus pulmonary syndrome case in Montana for 2011. The case resulted in a death.

This case is one of 31 hantavirus infections reported in Montana since 1993, and the ninth known hantavirus related death in the state. About 1-5 cases of hantavirus were reported each year in Montana from 1993 to 2008. No cases were reported during 2009 or 2010.

“Montanans should be aware of the precautions they can take to help avoid hantavirus,” said DPHHS director Anna Whiting Sorrell."