Hantavirus has recently been in the news but has been an occupational hazard present in BC for many years. In fact WorkSafeBC published a Hantavirus Exposure Control Program for Employers and Workers to help manage this risk.
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that can be carried by wild rodents. The virus is found in the urine, saliva or droppings of infected rodents and can be transmitted to humans when the infected particles are inhaled.
It’s important to note that the hantavirus identified on the MV Hondius cruise ship was an Andes Virus (ANDV). The ANDV is not endemic to Canada and is the only type of hantavirus known to spread person-to-person. In Canada, the Sin Nombre virus (SNV) can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) which has been documented in the Western provinces.
Workers may be exposed to hantavirus when infected rodent droppings are disturbed, such as during:
- Cleaning or sweeping rodent droppings
- Handling stored materials, equipment or waste contaminated by rodents
- Utility, inspection or repair work in crawl spaces, basements, attics, or sheds
If workers could be exposed to Hantavirus, an exposure control plan should be developed. Awareness, proper controls, and safe cleanup practices are critical to reducing the risk of hantavirus exposure!
