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Training and Consulting Safety Technical Articles Service Bulletins Transfer Switch Sequence of Operations	Memo: May 30, 2000 From: Paul Harris To: All employees Subject: Hantavirus In 1993, the CDC (Center for Disease Control in Atlanta) found itself investigating a contagious respiratory disease in the southwestern United States around the Four Corners area. They turned up a rodent-borne virus and named it Hanta. It turns out this was not new. Native Americans in the area had been aware of the problem for generations and even instituted preventive measures that, while less than scientific, worked pretty well. While we have been aware of Hanta for many years, we have not taken specific action to deal with the problem because it was reported only in the Southwest. Historically, our business has been in the Southeast, Mid Atlantic, and Midwest. Latest reports now place Hanta in the Midwest, South, and Mid Atlantic. It is moving this way. Until I can get an official procedure from CDC, the following interim procedure is Mandatory! When you find rodent infested equipment: 1. Put on respirator and vinyl gloves. 2. Prepare disinfectant by adding at least 4 ounces of Clorox bleach (or equivalent) per 16 ounces of your standard cleaning solution. 3. Disconnect all sources of electricity from the equipment, including the battery. 4. Open all appropriate access ports and doors. 5. Thoroughly wet all rodents, rodent nests, droppings, trails, and hideouts with your disinfectant solution. Note: Hantavirus is airborne. Wet everything to keep down dust particles. 6. Place contaminated material, including your paper towels, into a separate plastic trash bag. 7. Place contaminated trash bag into a second trash bag and tie shut. Throw this away as soon as possible. Do not carry it around in your truck for more than a day, you don't want it to dry out. 8. Wash equipment down with clean water. Soapy water is a good conductor. The clean water will wash off the soap and prevent short circuits. Be sure to let the equipment dry before you energize it. 9. Throw away your mask and gloves. 10. Wash yourself down with rubbing alcohol 11. Place new sticky traps. 12. Report the infestation on your PMA report and leave a copy at the site. Home

Training and Consulting
Safety
Technical Articles
Service Bulletins
Transfer Switch Sequence of Operations

Memo:

May 30, 2000

From:
Paul Harris

To:
All employees

Subject: Hantavirus

In 1993, the CDC (Center for Disease Control in Atlanta) found itself investigating a contagious respiratory disease in the southwestern United States around the Four Corners area.

They turned up a rodent-borne virus and named it Hanta. It turns out this was not new. Native Americans in the area had been aware of the problem for generations and even instituted preventive measures that, while less than scientific, worked pretty well.

While we have been aware of Hanta for many years, we have not taken specific action to deal with the problem because it was reported only in the Southwest. Historically, our business has been in the Southeast, Mid Atlantic, and Midwest.

Latest reports now place Hanta in the Midwest, South, and Mid Atlantic. It is moving this way.

Until I can get an official procedure from CDC, the following interim procedure is Mandatory!

When you find rodent infested equipment:

1. Put on respirator and vinyl gloves.

2. Prepare disinfectant by adding at least 4 ounces of Clorox bleach (or equivalent) per 16 ounces of your standard cleaning solution.

3. Disconnect all sources of electricity from the equipment, including the battery.

4. Open all appropriate access ports and doors.

5. Thoroughly wet all rodents, rodent nests, droppings, trails, and hideouts with your disinfectant solution.

Note: Hantavirus is airborne. Wet everything to keep down dust particles.

6. Place contaminated material, including your paper towels, into a separate plastic trash bag.

7. Place contaminated trash bag into a second trash bag and tie shut. Throw this away as soon as possible. Do not carry it around in your truck for more than a day, you don't want it to dry out.

8. Wash equipment down with clean water. Soapy water is a good conductor. The clean water will wash off the soap and prevent short circuits. Be sure to let the equipment dry before you energize it.

9. Throw away your mask and gloves.

10. Wash yourself down with rubbing alcohol

11. Place new sticky traps.

12. Report the infestation on your PMA report and leave a copy at the site.

Home