Chelan‑Douglas Health District has confirmed that a Chelan County resident tested positive for the Sin Nombre strain of hantavirus and stressed the case is not connected to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak. To protect the patient’s privacy, officials are keeping some details under wraps but believe exposure likely happened in or around the person’s home, where mice had been spotted. Health authorities are urging residents to use extra caution while spring‑cleaning enclosed spaces and working in areas where rodents might be lurking.
The confirmation was first reported by FOX 13 Seattle, which spoke with CDHD public health officer Dr. James Wallace. "Taking simple precautions while cleaning or working in areas where rodents may be present can significantly reduce the risk of exposure," Wallace told reporters, according to FOX 13. CDHD said the infection involves Sin Nombre virus, the strain most frequently detected in the western United States.
Sin Nombre vs. Andes: How the Strains Differ
Sin Nombre virus, the strain identified in the Chelan County patient, is carried by deer mice and can spread to people when contaminated droppings, urine or nesting material are disturbed, according to the CDC. In contrast, the cluster aboard the MV Hondius has been tied to the Andes strain, which the World Health Organization notes can, on rare occasions, transmit from person to person and is currently under international investigation. Public health officials say the two events are unrelated from a biological standpoint, even as both situations prompt fresh reminders about rodent control.
How to Reduce Risk at Home and Outdoors
State guidance advises airing out rooms before cleaning, soaking droppings and nests with disinfectant instead of sweeping or vacuuming, and wearing gloves and a mask when clearing contaminated material. The Washington State Department of Health provides a step‑by‑step cleaning guide and notes that Washington typically records one to five Sin Nombre cases a year. For local questions or to report a rodent infestation, residents can contact the Chelan‑Douglas Health District.
If you develop fever, muscle aches or shortness of breath after possible rodent exposure, seek medical care right away and tell clinicians about that exposure, the CDC advises. CDHD officials told FOX 13 Seattle they will keep investigating the case and will update the public if new information emerges.
