The Tula virus is a hantavirus that occurs in field mice. This virus can also be transmitted to humans. No patients are known in the Netherlands.
What is the Tula virus?
The Tula virus is a hantavirus that can be excreted by field mice through their urine or faeces. The virus is spread via the intake of dust particles.
Disease symptoms in humans
Because Tula virus is rare in humans, little is known about the symptoms in humans. A 12-year-old boy in Switzerland is known to have been infected with Tula virus after being bitten by a rodent. His symptoms were fever, paronychia (nail disease) and exanthema (skin rash).
Disease symptoms in animals
Rodents are carriers of hantaviruses, including the Tula virus. They do not get ill when infected. Rodents become infected with Tula virus by biting and scratching each other or by coming into contact with each other's infected droppings.
Infection and prevention
The virus is introduced into the environment by field mice. In dried urine, droppings and saliva, the virus may remain active for about another 2 weeks. Possible sources of infection are similar for all hantaviruses: sweeping a garage or attic, or staying in or near a forest, field, camping site or garden. Infection can be prevented by avoiding contact with mice and their shelters. Make sure there are no food residues in the home that attract pests. Ventilate areas that have long been closed and where mice may have lived before you enter them.
If you find a nest at home, it is best to wet the nest before removing it. You should then clean the surface thoroughly with soap and water before disinfecting it with a 10% bleach solution. Do not use a vacuum cleaner or a broom to clean up nests, as this will disperse dust and may even spread any virus that may be present. Always wear gloves when touching dead mice, droppings or nest residues.
How often does a Tula virus infection occur?
The risk of infection with the Tula virus in the Netherlands is very small. Although the Tula virus occurs in one third of Dutch field mice, no patients with this infection have been reported. The Tula virus is probably common in field mice in the Netherlands, but the risk to humans is small.