CONTACT: John Walls or Julie Toland
(806) 743-2160
LUBBOCK -- A Lubbock youth has been treated successfully for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center physicians at University Medical Center.
The 12-year-old female was released from the hospital late Thursday. She was admitted March 13.
Health Sciences Center President Dr. David R. Smith said early recognition and treatment saved the girl's life. "We're glad that this case has come to a good conclusion," Smith said. "We had early diagnosis of this case, and it was treated aggressively."
Officials caution that the general public should not be alarmed about a case being spotted in Lubbock.
"Hantavirus has never been shown in the U.S. to be transferred from person to person," said David Waagner, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at TTUHSC and medical director of infection control at UMC.
Hantavirus is a virus contracted mainly by breathing tiny droplets from fresh or dried rodent droppings, urine or saliva left by infected rodents. The virus causes arteries to close down, bringing about respiratory failure. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness and abdominal problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control website.
This is the first case of hantavirus identified in Lubbock County, Waagner said. The patient is only the 14th in Texas to date, and is one of only three children younger than 18, to contract the illness.
According to figures from the CDC, a total of 238 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome have been reported in the United States through Feb. 4. About 42 percent of the cases resulted in death.
About 3 to 5 percent of rodents, particularly deer mice, in Lubbock County carry the virus, the Texas Department of Health reports. If rodent droppings are detected, TDH suggests airing out the area for about an hour, then spraying the area with a bleach solution before cleaning. Avoid sweeping or vacuuming droppings, urine or nesting materials. Also, wear rubber gloves and double-bag when disposing of dead rodents.
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