The
wooden refrigerator car (“the reefer”) used for storage
in the EBRPD Corporation car.
The older
cargo container in the Staff Parking Lot. This is the ‘middle’
cargo container.
Andrew J. L. Cary
SPCRR Safety Manager
The refrigerator car in the EBRPD corporation yard and the old cargo container in the staff parking lot have serious rodent infestations. These areas are now classed as biohazard areas until these rodent infestations are under control and the areas are cleaned up. A protocol has been established for entering and working in these areas. We are working with EBRPD to control the rodent infestation and have developed a safety protocol with Alameda County Vector Control.
The big deal is that two very nasty viruses Hantavirus and Arenavirus have recently been identified in the rodent populations in Alameda County. These viruses can induce a severe flu-like disease that becomes rapidly life threatening. Although there have been no cases in Ardenwood Historic Farm Regional Park, there have been deaths elsewhere in Alameda and Santa Clara counties.
Any enclosed area where there is a known rodent infestation or where rodent droppings are found should be treated as contaminated. Two of the SPCRR storage locations have been specifically identified and tagged as having heavy rodent infestations:
The
wooden refrigerator car (“the reefer”) used for storage
in the EBRPD Corporation car.
The older
cargo container in the Staff Parking Lot. This is the ‘middle’
cargo container.
This does not mean that these are the only areas of potential contamination. If you see any rodent feces in any enclosed area, use the protocol for your protection and notify the Safety Manager (510)794-8536 or General Manager (510) 785-1343 of your concern.
These viruses are spread by inhaling or otherwise ingesting dust contaminated with rodent urine or feces.
Onset of illness is from 1 to 5 weeks after exposure.
Universal early symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, especially the large muscle groups—thighs, hips, back, sometimes shoulders. About half of patients have also be headaches, dizziness, chills and/or abdominal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Four to 10 days after the initial phase of illness, the late symptoms appear. These include coughing and shortness of breath, with the sensation of, as one survivor put it, a "..tight band around my chest and a pillow over my face" as the lungs fill with fluid. These are life-threatening illnesses. If you have been exposed to rodent feces anywhere and develop these symptoms see a doctor immediately. Early intervention is critical.
A protocol is a set of procedures for working with a hazardous situation. We have developed a simple protocol for short-term exposure and posted it by each location:
Ventilate for at least 30 minutes before entering and avoid disturbing dust when working.
Wear a N95 (HEPA) rated dust mask with a good seal over mouth and nose.
Wear disposable latex gloves. Disposable outer gloves should be worn if abrasion is an issue.
Disinfect anything taken from an infected area using bleach solution or 60 minutes of bright sunlight.
Dispose of mask and gloves into an appropriate waste container.
Disinfect outer clothing by dampening with bleach spray. Ordinary laundering will kill these viruses.
Longer exposure (for example to organize or clean the area) requires more stringent measures: including biohazard suits, eye protection, and frequent mask changes. This protocol is still under development.
Equipment is available in the corporation yard and the tackroom.
Web sites of Interest:
Centers for Disease Control-Hantavirus Site
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/noframes/generalinfoindex.htm