>This is a question about the risks of hantavirus exposure in a particular
>situation. I have an oldish Lancia which has been stored for some years
>in a barn on Lummi Island in northern Puget Sound. All was well until I
>rented the adjacent land for pasturage and the resident mouse population
>moved into the car. It is infested with two nests and dropping here and
>there on the floor. Nest materials came from the inside of the seats so I
>suspect there are droppings in places it would be very tough to sanitize.
> I have inquired with an island naturalist and found out that the
>mice are likely deer mice, likely infected. I have also been told by a
>public health official that the feces are only infected for 48 hours after
>having been dropped and that if I could kill the resident mice and
>isolated the car for 48 hours it would be safe to go in and clean up and
>tow the thing home. After considerable phone calling I have not found
>this 48 hour theory confirmed by anyone else and have generally been
>warned against attempting a cleanup. I have carefully put poisons in the
>car a couple times and they get consumed. Given the apparent risks of
>moving the virus around in such an enclosed space, I am loth to do more
>without real assurance that there is a safe way to do it. If you have
>thoughts about this odd predicament, I would be very grateful for them.
>It's a pretty car.
>Thanks, John Keppelman.
What you need is a formeldehyde bomb to disinfect this car. However, these
things can be dangerous, so best to call in an expert. Hope you don't mind
your car smelling like a morgue for awhile...
Brett Lindenbach
Program in Immunology
Washington University - St Louis
brett at borcim.wustl.edu
"I own my own pet virus. I get to pet and name her." - Cobain