Precautions
for Campers and Hikers in the Affected Areas There is no evidence to suggest
that travel into areas where HPS has been reported should be restricted. Most usual
tourist activities pose little or no risk that travelers will be exposed to rodents or
their urine and/or droppings.
However, persons who do outdoor activities such as camping or hiking in areas where the
disease has been reported should take precautions to reduce the likelihood of their
exposure to potentially infectious materials.
Useful Precautions:
- Avoid coming into contact with rodents and rodent burrows or disturbing dens (such as
pack rat nests).
- Air out, then disinfect cabins or shelters before using them. These places often shelter
rodents.
- Do not pitch tents or place sleeping bags in areas in proximity to rodent droppings or
burrows or near areas that may shelter rodents or provide food for them (e.g., garbage
dumps or woodpiles).
- If possible, do not sleep on the bare ground. In shelters, use a cot with the sleeping
surface at least 12 inches above the ground. Use tents with floors or a ground cloth if
sleeping in the open air.
- Keep food in rodent-proof containers!
- Promptly bury (or--preferably--burn followed by burying, when in accordance with local
requirements) all garbage and trash, or discard in covered trash containers.
- Use only bottled water or water that has been disinfected by filtration, boiling,
chlorination, or iodination for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, and brushing teeth.
- And last but not least, do not play with or handle any rodents that show up at the
camping or hiking site, even if they appear friendly.
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This page last reviewed Thursday, August 5, 2004
Special Pathogens Branch
Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases
National Center for Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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