Rodent Droppings May Signal Serious Summer Health Concerns
Health officials are urging people in the Western U.S. to watch for signs of rodent activity, as the risk of hantavirus increases during summer. This virus is spread by deer mice and can cause deadly respiratory illness.
Hantavirus spreads through the air when people come in contact with dried rodent waste. Early symptoms are often mistaken for the flu—fever, tiredness, and body aches—but can quickly turn into serious breathing problems. Prompt medical attention is essential for anyone exposed to rodent-contaminated spaces.
Common signs of rodents include rice-sized droppings, gnawed food packaging, shredded nest materials, and a musty smell. Scratching sounds in walls or ceilings can also be a warning.
“Rodents are incredibly resourceful and can enter homes through openings as small as a dime,” says Dr. Janet Kintz-Early, a Ph.D. Urban Entomologist and advisor to EarthKind®.