For several weeks in Slovenia, in the area of Tarnova and Aidussina, on the border with Friuli Venezia Giulia, numerous cases of mouse fever (hantavirus infection). A case was also registered in Italy: it is a Slovenian citizen who lives and works near the Italian border. The man, who presented himself to the emergency room in Gorizia, however, is not in serious condition.
How it is transmitted
Infections from hantavirus they are widespread all over the planet, particularly in rural areas. The virus is passed on from infants rodents which eliminate it through the feces and urine. Man can be infected through theinhalation of the virus released by excrement, touching the contaminated ground or more rarely with the bite of the rodent, thus coming into direct contact with the saliva of the mouse. You can become infected by inhaling the virus while cleaning a cellar with a broom, which disperses the tiny virus particles from rat faeces containing the virus into the air. The groups most at risk are farmers and foresters.
The disease is not transmitted from human to human, but only from animal to human. Once infected, the rodent will release the virus throughout its life.
What happens in Slovenia
According to the Slovenian newspaper Primorski Dnevnik, the hantavirus infection would have affected 213 people from January 1st to June 10th 20121, including 64 in Goriška, with a surge in the last few days. Some patients were hospitalized, but none lost their lives.
How it manifests itself
Mouse fever typically occurs with high fever, headache, chills, pain in the abdomen, conjunctivitis, flushing of the face, breathing problems. Generally the infection lasts from two to four weeks, but if neglected it can lead to serious complications such as epidemic nephropathy, haemorrhages, pulmonary syndromes. There is no specific treatment or vaccine, but antiviral drugs have been shown to reduce disease and death when used early. There is no vaccine.
Avoid contagion
To avoid contagion, the Ministry of Health card suggests avoiding exposure to rodents and their droppings, wash your hands often, do not sit on the ground in the affected areas and wear a mask if you are cleaning contaminated areas, paying particular attention to do not disperse aerosols.
June 19, 2021 (change June 19, 2021 | 14:46)
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