United States
Department of the Interior
http://www.doi.gov/

March 26, 2001

Hantavirus has been found in some deer mouse populations on Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel Islands in Channel Islands National Park.  The disease may be contracted through contact with mice or exposure to infected materials.  The illness involves flu-like symptoms: FEVER. Fatigue, muscle aches, cough, headaches and vomiting.

Hantavirus (Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome) causes flu-like symptoms followed be rapid onset of respiratory distress 12 hours to several days later.  The disease is spread through contact _aerosol or skin) with urine, feces, or nesting material of rodents, or through contaminated food or water.  This is a life-threatening illness.

To Reduce Your Risk of Infection:

• Do Not Feed Wild Animals.
• Avoid contact with rodents and rodent burrows.
• Do not disturb dens.
• Do not pitch tents or place sleeping bags in proximity to rodent feces or burrows or near possible rodent shelters.
• If possible, do not sleep on bare ground.  Use tents with floors.
• Keep food in rodent-proof containers.
• Promptly discard all garbage and trash in rodent-proof containers.
• Do not handle sick or dead animals.

There is no evidence to suggest that travel should be restricted.  Most tourist activities pose little or no risk.  There have been no documented cases of Hantavirus at Channel Islands National Park. However, persons engaged in outdoor activities such as camping or hiking should take precaution to reduce the likelihood of their exposure to rodent or potentially infectious materials.

If you experience symptoms listed above after engaging in any activities which put you at risk, contact you physician.

Visitors also are advised to be extra watchful for ticks in the spring and summer months, when they are most common.  Tick bites may transmit diseases, such as Lyme disease.  Avoid areas where ticks are known to occur, such as tall grass and brushy areas.  In known tick areas: tuck pants into boots or socks, and shirt into pants, avoid trail margins, brush, and grassy areas; check yourself and your children daily for ticks.  If a tick becomes attached to a person or pet, use tweezers to remove the tick gently, pulling the tick straight and steadily out.  When removing ticks, grasp the tick’s mouthparts as closely to the person’s skin as possible.  Wash hands and bite site with soap and water and apply antiseptic.

If you develop any symptoms in the following weeks, which may include a characteristic skin rash of red, blotchy area up to five inches in diameter, with a clear area in the middle, fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, facial nerve palsy, and certain heart irregularities, consult your physician.

This request is based on suggestions about how to most effectively disseminate information regarding Hantavirus to private and commercial boaters who may not contact the park before going to the islands.  The enclosed notice also is posted at our mainland visitor center and island bulletin boards to inform visitors of this serious disease.  Our goal is to increase awareness by providing information notices throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Your assistance and support are greatly appreciated.

Tim J. Setnicka

Superintendent

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