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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2018 - Jun 30, 2019


Success StoryHantaviruses



Hantaviruses

Author: Edith Lovett

Planning Unit: Pulaski County CES

Major Program: Building Healthy Coalitions

Plan of Work: Wellness & Healthy Communities-NEW

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Describe the Issue or Situation.  All clients have rodents in their house, barn or other areas where they live.


Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).  Great response as most of the participants did not know how serious rat drippings and urine were.


Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience. 100 people were involved including farmers, senior citizens and general public.


Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.  By a show of hand only 2 people were aware of the Hantaviruse and the others only knew about the virus they had heard from the press..  All had seen rat drippings in and around their house.

Hantavirus Disease

 

                Our farmers, homemakers and the public deal with rat drippings often in their home. However, many of these people had never heard of the hantavirus until the news because they were involved with the danger of the disease. Since this is a rare disease, people were not aware of the danger of rat urine or drippings. The urine and drippings can be dangerous to humans as it can carry bacteria and viruses that cause the disease Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

                More than 100 people participated in three classes on the serious disease caused by inhaling airborne particles from rodent droppings, urine, or nesting materials. Only 2 people had heard of the disease before the attention given by the press. The others were not aware and had never heard of the disease; all the people in attendance had seen rats dripping in their homes at various times. They were also concerned about how to get rid of the mice.

                The people in attendance were made aware of how important it is to avoid contact with rat urine and droppings. Wearing a mask, gloves, and washing hands often were the main points given when cleaning areas where rats may have been stressed. Washing off the tops of canned goods and drinks was also emphasized as you never know where mice may have been before you purchased the product. Also, a person can become infected with the virus by breathing in the contaminated air where the mice may have been.






Stories by Edith Lovett


"Super Star Chef"

about 5 years ago by Edith Lovett

The Pulaski County Cooperative Extension Service participated in the 3-Day Super Star Chef program... Read More


Pulaski County Extension Homemakers

about 5 years ago by Edith Lovett

With 300 Pulaski County Extension Homemakers actively involved in the Pulaski County Extension Life,... Read More


Stories by Pulaski County CES


Teen Leadership Boot Camp

Teen Leadership Boot Camp

about 6 years ago by Meagan Lucas

High school students are busy working jobs, playing sports, or are involved in school related extrac... Read More


Fine Arts club

Fine Arts club

about 6 years ago by Meagan Lucas

Pulaski County 4-H introduced a Fine Arts club in the spring of 2018. The fine arts club provides in... Read More