People who are cleaning cabins or other buildings that were closed for the winter should protect themselves against hantavirus, a disease transmitted by infected mice, according to Lindsey VanderBusch, epidemiologist with the North Dakota Department of Health.
"Hantavirus infection has been associated with cleaning or occupying previously vacant cabins or other dwellings," VanderBusch said. "It's important to take precautions while cleaning buildings that are infested with rodents. Preventing infection is important since there is no specific treatment for the disease."
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a viral infection that causes severe lung disease. Mice carry the disease and spread the virus to people in urine, fecal droppings and saliva. People normally become infected when they breathe in air contaminated with the virus when fresh rodent urine, droppings or nesting materials are disturbed and tiny droplets containing the virus get into the air. The disease is not transmitted from person to person.
Symptoms of HPS usually occur two to three weeks after infection. Early symptoms commonly include fever, muscle and body aches, fatigue, headache, dizziness, chills, nausea and vomiting. The illness worsens within a short period of time to include coughing and severe shortness of breath when lungs fill with fluid.
Eleven cases of HPS have been reported to the North Dakota Department of Health since 1993; the most recent was reported in 2009. Six of the North Dakota cases were fatal. From 1993 through Dec. 1, 2009, 534 cases have been reported in the United States, of which 36 percent were fatal.
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The Department of Health offers the following tips for preventing rodent infestation from occurring and for properly disinfecting areas that become contaminated by rodents:
* For severe or persistent infestations, contact a pest-control professional for rodent eradication or a building contractor for rodent exclusion (rodent proofing), or consult with the North Dakota Department of Health by calling 800-472-2180.
* Seal all entry holes through which a rodent can enter.
* Clear clutter and tall grass away from buildings to eliminate sources of nesting materials.
* Do not sweep or vacuum areas with evidence of rodent infestation, such as nests or fecal droppings. This action may stir up and aerosolize the viral particles.
* Wear rubber, latex, vinyl or nitrile gloves.
* Thoroughly wet contaminated area with a disinfectant or bleach solution before wiping up with a paper towel.
For more information, contact VanderBusch or Michelle Feist, North Dakota Department of Health, at 701-328-2378.
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Medicare plans change today
North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm said Medicare supplement insurance plans are undergoing changes effective June 1. Medicare supplement insurance (also called Medigap or Med Sup) is a private insurance that helps pay health care expenses that Medicare covers in part or not at all.
Plans E, H, I, J and high-deductible Plan J are being eliminated, along with preventive care and at-home recovery benefits. Most of these changes came about due to Medicare's increased coverage of preventive services and updated health care options.
"If you currently have Medigap insurance, your plan is still effective," Hamm said. "It will stay in effect as long as you pay your premiums."
Medigap will include two new plans, M and N. Plan M covers:
* 50 percent of the Part A inpatient hospital de-ductible
* The core benefit and SNF daily coinsurance charges
* Foreign travel emergency benefits
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* Does not cover the Part B deductible
Plan N covers:
* 100 percent of the Part A inpatient hospital deductible
* Part B coinsurance charge -- subject to a new copayment structure with co-pays of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits
* Does not cover the Part B deductible
Consumers should note that these changes were under way prior to the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act March 23, 2010. Additional Med sup and Medicare changes are expected under the new law.
For more information about Medicare supplement insurance, call the Department's State Health Insurance Counseling program at 1-888-575-6611.
