District laboratory staff conducted a rodent survey for
hantavirus with California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
staff on June 4-5 in La Honda. Peromyscus truei (pinyon
mice) and Peromyscus californicus (parasitic mice) were
trapped and blood samples were taken for testing. Kidney samples
from any mice with positive blood samples will also be tested by
the CDPH to be used for a study of the geographical distribution
of different hantavirus strains in California.
The laboratory began yearly surveillance for hantavirus with a
rodent survey at San Bruno Mountain on May 2-3. Peromyscus
maniculatus (deer mice) were trapped and blood samples were taken
for testing. The mouse carcasses will be tested by the California
Department of Public Health (CDPH) and positive samples will be
used for a study of the geographical distribution of different
hantavirus strains in California.
Laboratory staff conducted three surveys of wild rodents in the
months of July and August. The surveys took place in Montara on
July 17th and 18th, at Water Dog Lake park
in Belmont on August 15th and 16th and Eaton and Big
Canyon parks in San Carlos on August 29th and
30th. Blood samples were taken from captured rodents by a
subocular bleed with a microcapillary tube and ear punches were
also taken from the rodents at Water Dog Lake, Eaton and Big
Canyon parks.
Laboratory staff conducted two surveys of wild rodents in the
month of June. The surveys took place in Water Dog Lake park in
Belmont on June 14th and 15th and Eaton and
Big Canyon parks in San Carlos on June 20th and
21st. Blood samples were taken from captured rodents by a
subocular bleed with a microcapillary tube and ear punches were
also taken from the rodents. The blood and ear tissue will be
tested in our District laboratory for Borrelia bacteria
that cause Lyme disease and other infection.
The District conducted two wild rodent disease surveys on San
Bruno Mountain this year, and all test results have been
received. Each survey consisted of 100 Sherman traps placed
along trails, targeting wild mice. The first survey
resulted in fifteen captured Peromyscus maniculatus mice
and the second survey resulted in eleven captured P.
maniculatus mice.
During May, District staff, in conjunction with the California
Department of Public Health, trapped and tested rodents for Sin
Nombre hantavirus in areas of Montara, CA. Each rodent
was anesthetized, then measured and checked for
parasites. Laboratory staff then drew blood for the
hantavirus antibody test. After recovering from anesthesia,
each rodent was carefully released at the exact location where it
was trapped. Staff tested a total of 13 mice.
On March 28th and 29th, District staff, in conjunction with the
California Department of Public Health, trapped and tested
rodents for Sin Nombre hantavirus at San Bruno Mountain State
& County Park. Each rodent was anesthetized, then
measured and checked for parasites. Laboratory staff then
drew blood for the hantavirus antibody test. After
recovering from anesthesia, each rodent was carefully released at
the exact location where it was trapped. Staff tested a
total of 15 mice.
On November 14th, District staff, in conjunction with the
California Department of Public Health, trapped and tested
rodents for Sin Nombre hantavirus at San Pedro Valley County
Park. Staff set 100 traps and caught twenty six rodents in
them. Each rodent was anesthetized, then measured and
checked for parasites. Laboratory staff then drew blood for
the hantavirus antibody test. After recovering from
anesthesia, each rodent was carefully released at the exact
location where it was trapped. Staff tested a total of
twenty four mice. Test results showed that
