TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Centers for Disease Control announced the second case of domestic hantavirus fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) involving a male in his 20s.
CDC physician Lin Yung-ching (林詠青) said the individual began to show symptoms in mid-February and required emergency dialysis. The individual went to a clinic, but when symptoms did not improve, he went to the emergency room and found his kidney function was abnormal, per CNA.
He was hospitalized and given antibiotic treatment, though his renal function continued to deteriorate, requiring several additional dialysis sessions. After being diagnosed with HFRS, he gradually began to recover and was discharged after two weeks of hospitalization.
Lin said the individual worked in the food service industry, and though he had not seen any rats around his workplace or home, he did not wear a mask during cleaning work. Thus, health officials did not rule out the possibility of infection due to rodent excrement or urine.
CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) said the new case is equivalent to one or two cases over the past four years. Last year, there were three confirmed HFRS cases in Taichung, Changhua, and Kaohsiung.
According to the CDC, HFRS is a zoonotic disease transmitted from animals, such as rodents, to humans. The disease can enter humans by inhalation or contact with dust or objects contaminated with rodent excrement or secretions that contain hantavirus.
The CDC warned the public to pay attention to rodent routes into homes and block such routes through windows or walls. It also said to dispose of kitchen waste or animal food and keep the environment clean.
If rodent excrement is found, the CDC said to wear a mask and rubber gloves, open doors and windows to increase ventilation, and sprinkle diluted bleach on the contaminated environment. To prevent the virus from becoming airborne, clean with disposable paper towels, rags, or old newspapers and put in a sealed garbage bag. It said to avoid using vacuum cleaners or brooms, which can release the virus into the air.
