Health officials in Saskatchewan are warning residents to take precautions against the rare but deadly hantavirus, carried in mice droppings.
Deputy chief medical Health officer, Dr. Denise Werker, says there have been 31 cases of the rare disease in Saskatchewan since the early 1990’s.
Hantavirus has a 30 percent fatality rate.
She cautions those cleaning bins and cottages this spring to use gloves, goggles and an N-95 mask.
She says a solution of 9 parts water and 1 part bleach is the best way to clean areas with mice droppings.
Dr. Werker suggests measures to prevent rodents from entering structures by blocking entrances and ensuring food is in rodent-proof containers.
She adds wood piles should be far from the house and neatly stacked.