Last week, Saskatchewan public health officials took a brief break from COVID-19 to warn people that other transmitted diseases are still present in the province.

On May 20, they issued a press release in response to the province's first case of hantavirus in 2020, and only the 35th case of the virus to hit the province since 1994.

Saskatchewan's Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, took time to address the risk at a COVID-19 press conference earlier in May; a time when, thanks to the province's phase 2 reopening, many Saskatchewan families would be cracking open and cleaning their cabins and sheds for the first time after winter, activities which traditionally pose the highest risk for hantavirus exposure.

“Humans can be exposed to hantavirus when inhaling contaminated air caused by the droppings, urine and saliva of infected rodents,”

Symptoms typically start within one to six weeks of exposure and include tiredness, fever, muscle aches, cough, headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Some people develop severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing, which can be life-threatening.

In severe cases, the hantavirus can cause a lung-related illness called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a potentially lethal affliction.

There are a few ways to avoid exposure to the virus, mostly by being aware of any mouse droppings and nesting materials and taking certain precautions:

- Use a wet mop to clean droppings rather than a broom or any dry cleaning method which can throw dust in the air.
- Wear protective equipment such as goggles, gloves and well-fitting HEPA type filter masks when cleaning contaminated areas.
- Dampen areas with rodent droppings with bleach disinfectant, letting it sit for 10 minutes before removing droppings with a damp mop or cloth.

Additionally, blocking openings; storing food, water and garbage inside containers with tight lids; and moving woodpiles or other potential hiding places for mice away from the house are good steps to reduce rodent infestations.

As of May 13, 2020, 35 people in Saskatchewan have been reported with HPS since 1994, including 11 deaths.