Because rodents spread the disease with urine, saliva and feces, there are several other ways a human may become infected with the virus. Although rare, it is believed humans could become infected if bitten by a diseased rodent. If droppings contaminate a person’s food supply, her or she could become ill. Touching your mouth or nose after handling contaminated rodent droppings may also prove to be a means of infection. The best way to avoid the virus is to avoid the rodents that could be carrying it (CDC.gov pg. 2). Eliminating the rodent population in one’s area may be impossible; however, it is not unreasonable to reduce their numbers in or near one’s house. There are a few basic steps you can take to lower the number of rodents you may come in contact with. Keep one’s house clean, remove potential nesting sites, set traps inside and around one’s house, dispose of or store uneaten food, and encourage natural predators to live nearby (info1.html pg. 1). While hanta virus is not a common occurrence, it may appear to be overkill to go out of one’s way preparing for it. Since it is believed that only rodents are carriers, many people think they will not come in contact with the virus (CDC.gov pg. 2). Unfortunately, this is not true. Rodents live an integral live alongside humans and can be found in nearly every climate and terrain on earth. Humans have no choice but to live alongside rodent and thus alongside the virus.Hanta virus is a real and deadly disease. We have been living with it for thousands of years. While at the moment there are not any cases of the hanta virus, there is definitely the chance of a national crisis. By establishing safety codes that require testing for hanta virus in urban areas, and starting a public education program that informs and educates people about the danger of hanta virus, the government can significantly reduce the hanta virus hazard. ...
