New Mexico Says Sin Nombre Hantavirus Differs From Andes Strain as 10% Bleach Cleanup Urged
Updated
Updated · KOB 4 · May 13
New Mexico Says Sin Nombre Hantavirus Differs From Andes Strain as 10% Bleach Cleanup Urged
12 articles · Updated · KOB 4 · May 13
New Mexico health officials said the state's Sin Nombre hantavirus is not the Andes strain tied to an international cruise ship outbreak and does not spread person to person.
The department said risk to the general public is low, noting no New Mexico residents were aboard the cruise ship linked to the outbreak.
Sin Nombre infections in New Mexico are spread through contact with infected rodents, including airborne particles released when droppings or nests are disturbed.
NMDOH urged residents to air out closed buildings and vehicles, soak droppings with a 10% bleach solution, avoid sweeping or vacuuming, and seal homes to keep rodents out.
Officials said Andes is the only hantavirus known to spread between people, and even then requires close contact.
With infected passengers sent home globally, how can we be certain the Andes hantavirus outbreak is truly contained?
A deadly hantavirus now spreads between people. What stops it from becoming the next global pandemic?