Wet Spring Brings Warm Weather Health Concerns (May 14, 1998)The wet weather creates high risk spring and summer seasons for anyone who ventures outdoors. Health departments in the Four Corners area say there are more rodents now than in the past five years. And that means increased risk of the hantavirus. Science Specialist Ed Yeates reports.
It was four years ago this month, when State epidemiologists donned protective gear from head to foot and began trapping rodents in Wood Hollow at Camp Williams.
ED YEATES, SCIENCE SPECIALIST: "WELL THE GRASS IS HIGH AGAIN AND THE DEER MOUSE NUMBERS IN SOME WET AREAS IN UTAH COULD WELL EXCEED THE POPULATION IN 1993 WHEN THE CDC BATTLED A HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK IN NEW MEXICO"
The rodent population is already showing up in New Mexico traps.
CRAIG NICHOLS, STATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST: "MANY OF THOSE RODENTS CAPTURED WERE PREGNANT FEMALES. SOME WERE EVEN DROPPING THEIR LITTERS IN THE TRAPS."
As we recommended two weeks ago, use gloves and a disinfectant to wet down dusty areas when cleaning cabins, sheds or seasonal houses for the first time. Also, avoid pitching tents near rodent holes or in dry areas where people inside may kick up a lot of dust. Ironically, in dry areas, the University of Utah has trapped few, if any, rodents which may be an early sign many have died from the plague.
"AND WHEN THEY WENT DOWN THIS SPRING, THEY FOUND NO RODENTS IN THE ENTIRE AREA. AND SO THAT'S VERY UNUSUAL. THAT'S A GOOD SIGN THAT PLAGUE IS PRESENT."
So, don't let children handle chipmunks or squirrels. And keep your household pets away from them. Other summer precautions.. State Health advises outdoor barbecuers to again make sure they thoroughly cook meat to avoid e-coli contamination. And don't leave eggs, dairy and meat products sitting out on patio tables for several hours. Also, mosquitoes, fleas and ticks! This too is their ripe season - so use a good repellant while outdoors.
Despite recent controversy, Nichols says the repellant DEET is the preferred repellant for ticks and fleas. The repellant however should NOT be applied on a child's hands or near the eyes.
For more information, check out our information on "Warm Weather Health Guidlines".