As Albertans are shaking off the cobwebs of winter, Alberta Health Services has issued a reminder to take precautions when spring cleaning.
In particular, AHS is warning against Hantavirus, which can be picked up by breathing in particles of urine or feces from an infected rodent.
Hantavirus is a potentially fatal illness that mainly affects the lungs and respiratory system.
Symptoms can appear up to five weeks after exposure and resemble a severe flu, including fever, body aches, chills, and breathing problems.
If you are cleaning an area where you know there are mice or mice droppings you should make sure it is well ventilated, wear rubber gloves, and soak droppings, nests, and dead mice with a bleach and water solution.
If you are dealing with a severe mouse infestation, you are advised to contact Health Link Alberta.
Image via Flickr Creative Commons user Blondinrikard Fröberg.