Eight
people, who shared the common factor of working at different rat-breeding
facilities in two different U.S. states and who contracted Seoul virus, most likely
contracted the virus from the rats.
Special report by Tim Sandle:
This
is the outcome from a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
investigation, which was undertaken with the Illinois Department of Health and
the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The matter is of public health concern
because the eight infections represented the first viral transmissions from
rats designed to be sold as pets.
The
first
case to be reported was when a man, who bred rodents at his home in Wisconsin,
was sent to hospital after reporting a fever and headache. This was in December
2016. Tests indicated that the man had a contracted the Seoul virus, which is a
member of the Hantavirus family of rodent-borne viruses. Later a member of the
man’s family also contracted the virus. Both people recovered, although the
investigation revealed that six other people who bred rats at home were
infected with the same virus type. The six worked at two separate home-based
rat breeding centers.
Seoul virus
does not make the rats sick, but people can become infected through exposure to
infectious body fluids (blood, saliva, urine) or bites from infected rats. The virus
is normally reported in Asia, the new cases in the U.S. are very rare in the
west. The virus cannot be spread between people (only to people from infected
rats). In severe cases the virus can lead to renal failure.
U.S.
health authorities are currently working with the home-rearers to identify customers
who may have purchased rats as pets, to see if the infection has spread. The U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that citizens in Illinois
and Wisconsin who are concerned that they have purchased or come in contact
with rats from the breeders should contact the state health departments.
Advice
has been issued to help prevent infections like Seoul virus and other
diseases carried by rats. The advice includes:
- Washing hands with soap and hot running water after touching, feeding, or caring for rodents.
- Being aware that pet rodents can shed viruses and bacteria and this can contaminate surfaces.
- Regular cleaning and disinfection of rodent habitats and supplies.
- Avoiding bites and scratches from rodents. If you are bitten, immediately rinse the wound and seek medical advice
- Visit a veterinarian with the rodent regularly, for checks.
In the longer term, a review is likely to take place regarding the breeding of rats in the U.S.
