Seoul virus is a type of Hantavirus found in Norway rats, one of the most common varieties of rats here in Delta (85 % Norway and 15% roof rats). The virus does not cause symptoms in the rats but it if we contract it; infections develop within two weeks (or up to 8 weeks) after exposure to the virus. Not everyone infected with Seoul virus will have symptoms. Initial symptoms begin with extreme headaches, back and abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea, blurred vision, low blood pressure, acute shock, vascular leakage, and acute kidney failure. There is no specific treatment for Seoul virus infection but careful management hydration and electrolytes are necessary. This is important for owners of pet rats to be aware of the risk for Seoul virus infection and one simple step of washing hands after handling rodents and before preparing food is very important. Doctors in Canada have seen cases of Seoul virus infection in humans who contracted the virus from their pet rats. The outbreak spread from ratteries (places where rats are bred sales) to homes where the pet rats were kept.
gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner Tsawwassen North Delta B.C. Randy Bilesky
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/seoul-virus-found-pet-rats-randy-bilesky/?published=t