To the editor:

The Centers for Disease Control has posted warning information about a virus called LCMV (lymphocytic choriomeningitis). This virus occurs in about 5 percent of the common house mice in the United States. It can cause a flu-like virus that is especially dangerous to unborn babies.

You can get this virus through exposure to rodent urine, fresh droppings, rodent saliva, rodent blood and from nesting materials from infected rodents.

Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Lack of appetite
• Aches
• Sometimes sore throat, joint pain, cough.
• You can feel better, then get a second phase that can include paralysis and meningitis.

This virus affects unborn babies by affecting their eyes and brain tissue. It can cause blindness and mental retardation.

If you have an area that has rodents, to clean this up, follow these instructions:

• Wet down the area with a bleach solution- 1 2/3 cup bleach to a gallon or use a household disinfectant.
• Do NOT vacuum or sweep the area.
• Wear gloves and a mask.
• Take up contaminated material with a wet paper towel.
• Mop or sponge the area with the bleach solution or household disinfectant.
• Spray dead rodents with household disinfectant.
• Double-bag the dead rodents and all the contaminated material.
• Put your used gloves in the bag also and seal the bag; dispose of properly.
• Wash hands with soap and water.

For more information, see this website: cdc.gov/vhf/lcm/pdf/factsheet.pdf.

Jennifer J. Heller, Brown County Health Department

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