does anyone know the statistics of the hantavirus appearing in the northern most part of Michigan... and that the statistics of contracting the disease are?

l may be moving up there next year, but l hear there is a high population of deer mice, which are carriers of the disease...

but according to a 2006 and 2007 statistic map... there were 0 cases of Hanta in Michigan where you think you'd see it the most.

l can not find any updated information for 2008.

The hantavirus is rare. but deadly for those who contract it. Although, a LOT of the resources u will get online will be older materials like from 2000-2003.

The main cconsensus is that Hanta, if contracted, is generally fatal over half the time. However, if u know you've come in contact with mice (Deer mice, Rice Rats, White footed mice) if u feel flu like symptoms a week or so later, go to the hospital ASAP & tell ur doc u came in contact with mouse droppings & or urine.

If treated early enough, with the new therapies & experimental drugs, u have a better chance of survival.

That being said. here r a few things.

1. l have not heard of many cases in Michigan. It is generally in the southwestern parts of the world for some reason.

2. there r ways to prevent contracting the disease.

Mostly, this happens around nesting areas. A mouse is not going to nest in a well circulated part of ur house. That is why u find them mostly in basements, garages, & attics.

When u come across mouse droppings or urine, do not vaccum or sweep them up as that causes the virus to activate & become airborne.

soak the spots down with a disinfectant that will kill the virus, & let the area soak & air for a half an hour. then with gloves & probably a mask, mop the area up, & dispose of all materials used (gloves, mask, waste & the mouse if u catch it) outside of ur house.

make sure u have good traps, preferably the (sorry to animal lovers, l am one myself but.) ''Private kill'' kind. The ones that will kill them like a snap trap, without u having to touch or see it. If u can confirm there is something in the trap, dispose of it with gloves, dispose of the gloves, wash ur hands, & follow the disinfecting of the area as stated above.

If you're buying a house that has been unlived in for a while in a state that has had a known Hanta related death or illness. let the house air out for an hour. disinfect known troubled spots, (basements, kitchens) maybe even use a powdered carpet cleaner or steamer. let it air out again for an hour. & then go about moving in.

Now l am not an expert, but l also believe the droppings & urine generally need to be FRESH & disturbed for the virus to become active. but l am not sure. Everything I've read is that it is in fresh droppings & urine.

And remember, while u may love animals, traps r ur friend. If u have animals, u may want to use the ''private killer'' l mentioned above. it is quick, & u do not have to see anything.

Normally I'd use live traps, but l live in an area where we do not have rodents that r known carriers. If u live in an area with rodents that r known carriers, I'd protect ur health & ur family first.

And just remember to disinfect & let sit for a while before cleaning. Never sweep or dry vaccum where u know a mouse has been.

l like those wet mops where u put on a pad & can throw that pad away when you're done, as well as disposable surgical gloves & masks.

However, of millions of Americans. in 2007 there were 400 or so reported cases of Hanta. If u add another 300 for unreported cases, that would be 700 out of millions.

So ur more likely to win the lottery than to get Hanta.