State, local officials collaborate for
educational Hantavirus talk

April 17 online event offers expert guidance following recent deaths

Following recent Hantavirus-related deaths in Mammoth Lakes, seven local health agencies are coming together to host an important public information event: Hantavirus: Awareness, Prevention & Protection

Date: Thursday, April 17
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom and YouTube

How to Join:

Zoom: Go to nih.org and click the blue banner at the top of the page or visit: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86094592710
YouTube: Visit com/@NorthernInyoHealthcare
If you miss the live event: A recording will be available on the NIHD YouTube channel.

Thanks to Mono County Public Health, live Spanish interpretation will be available. Just click the blue banner at NIH.org, join the talk, and wait for the screen prompt to select Spanish translation.

Presented by: California Department of Public Health, Mono and Inyo County Public and Environmental Health Departments, Mammoth Hospital, and hosted by Northern Inyo Healthcare District.

Meet the Panel of Experts:

Dr. Anne Kjemtrup – Hantavirus Specialist, California Department of Public Health
Dr. Tom Boo – Public Health Officer, Mono County
Dr. James Richardson – Public Health Officer, Inyo County
Louis Molina – Director, Mono County Environmental Health
Jerry Oser – Director, Inyo County Environmental Health
Dr. David Araya – Internal Medicine Hospitalist, Mammoth Hospital
Dr. J. Adam Hawkins – Chief Medical Officer, NIHD (Host)

Submit advanced questions for the panelists to [email protected], subject line “Hantavirus Question”.

Why this matters: Hantavirus is a rare but serious disease carried by deer mice, which are common in the Eastern Sierra. People can get sick by breathing in virus particles stirred up from rodent droppings, urine, or saliva, especially when cleaning enclosed spaces. It does not spread from person to person.

This year, three local deaths from Hantavirus have already been confirmed ̶ an unusually high number for early spring. Officials emphasize that as far as is known at this time, none of the deceased individuals engaged in activities typically associated with Hantavirus exposure.

“This is tragic and concerning for our communities,” said Dr. Tom Boo, Mono County’s Public Health Officer. “We want to make sure everyone who lives, works, or visits the Eastern Sierra knows how to protect themselves and stay safe.”

Watch to learn:

What Hantavirus is and how it spreads
Early warning signs and symptoms
How to clean safely and reduce your risk
What to do if you or someone you know may have been exposed

Symptoms usually appear one to five weeks after exposure and include:

Fever, headaches, and muscle aches
Upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea
Later: cough, trouble breathing, and fluid in the lungs

Hantavirus can be deadly ̶ about one in three cases results in death. Getting medical help early can save lives.

How to stay safe:

Seal up holes larger than a pencil to keep mice out
Store food in rodent-proof containers
Trap mice using snap traps (not glue or live traps)
Don’t vacuum or sweep mouse droppings, nests, or urine as this can release the virus into the air
Air out enclosed spaces for at least 30 minutes before cleaning
Spray contaminated areas with a disinfectant or a freshly made 10 percent bleach solution and let sit for five minutes before wiping clean
Wear gloves and an N-95 (or higher) mask when cleaning
Do not eat food that may have been contaminated by rodents
Always wash your hands thoroughly after any possible exposure

About Northern Inyo Healthcare District: Founded in 1946, Northern Inyo Healthcare District features a 25-bed critical access hospital, a 24-hour emergency department, a primary care rural health clinic, a diagnostic imaging center, and a rehabilitation service for physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy. We also offer clinics specializing in orthopedics, cardiology, urology, women’s health, pediatrics and allergies, general surgery, colorectal surgery, and breast cancer surgery. Continually striving to improve the health outcomes for those who rely on us for care, NIHD aims to improve our communities, one life at a time. One team, one goal, your health.

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