90-Second Read: Hantavirus risk low in Kansas, but rodent infestations still pose health concerns

With rodents being the primary carrier of the virus, a local pest control company is addressing how high the risk is in Kansas and why infestation is always a health concern. With rodents being identified as carriers of Hantavirus, customers of pest control companies have been curious. Cocking said concerns for dangerous variants of Hantavirus in Kansas are low, but that doesn't mean you should ignore signs of rodent infestation, as there are still significant health risks. 18 Americans from cruise ship outbreak being monitored; experts say dangerous variant not typically present in Kansas WICHITA, Kan.

Cocking of Patton Termite and Pest in west Wichita said the dangerous Andes variant at focus with the cruise ship isn't typically present in Kansas. Cocking said a sudden flare up of allergies can be a sign of rodent infestation and if you find evidence of rat droppings, be safe and wet down the area with disinfectant before you start cleaning. And always use gloves whenever you're handling anything that you think rodents have been around or onto. You need to wear a mask, a respirator, or a N95 mask works real well.

So that cruise ship environment, unfortunately, created the right environment to spread person to person, but that is not, shouldn't be concerning to those of us throughout the country or other countries. So, if they're like in kitchens, that sort of thing, they can easily spread food-borne illnesses as well as the viruses and other diseases that they carry specifically. Use a vacuum, don't use a brush, because a lot of times it's the dust that comes from the, actually brushing it, that causes the particles to get in the air, and that's what can spread the virus as well. Cocking said other ways to make sure you don't have a rodent infestation is to keep bird and grass seed, along with pet food or livestock feed in a sealed container.