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Spring cleaning brings smiles to some people’s faces and leads to plenty of grumbles from others.
But regardless of whether you love or dread the annual chore, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is warning spring cleaners to take precautions against hantavirus, which can lead to a rare but potentially fatal disease of the lungs known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
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Between 1994 and 2025, 38 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome were reported in the province, leading to 12 deaths.
Hantavirus infection is caused by inhaling airborne particles from the feces, urine or droppings of infected deer mice, the health authority explained.
“Deer mice are found throughout Saskatchewan, and the risk of exposure is highest when cleaning enclosed or unused spaces where mice may have nested, such as sheds, barns, cabins, trailers, RVs, old vehicles, garages, and storage buildings,” medical health officer Dr. Stanley Enebli explained in a statement.
“Because the virus is airborne, it is important to always wear protective gear, including gloves, goggles, and a well‑fitting N95 mask. Moisten droppings and contaminated areas with a bleach and water disinfectant solution before wiping or mopping. Taking these steps can significantly reduce the risk of illness from rodent contamination.”
When cleaning place where rodents have been present, especially areas like sheds, outbuildings and seasonal cabins, the health authority said to avoid any activity that leads to airborne dust. That means wet mopping while equipped with gloves is better than dry cleaning methods like dusting, sweeping or vacuuming.
Any droppings should be wet down with a bleach-water solution or household disinfectant before the droppings are removed using a damp mop or cloth, the health authority advised. An N-95-type filter mask and goggles were also recommended when cleaning areas contaminated by mouse droppings.
Exposed clothes and bedding should be washed with detergent in hot water, the health authority said, while upholstered furniture should be steam cleaned, shampooed or sprayed with a disinfectant or bleach solution.
Anyone who comes into contact with droppings is at risk of hantavirus, the Saskatchewan Health Authority noted.
“Symptoms usually start within one to six weeks of exposure and include fever, muscle aches, cough, headaches, nausea and vomiting,” the health authority said in a statement.
“Some people develop severe symptoms that can be life-threatening. Seek medical attention immediately if you have a cough, fever and shortness of breath.”
Rodent activity can be minimized throughout the year by reducing the availability of food sources and nesting materials, the health authority explained, along with other measures like preventing rodents from entering homes and buildings through barriers, storing food, water and garbage in pest-resistant containers and moving woodpiles and other places where mice like to hide away from homes.
More information on the virus can be found on the provincial government’s website.
