The Ministry of Health is reminding Saskatchewan residents to take precautions against the hantavirus as the weather warms up.

Hantavirus can cause a rare, but potentially fatal lung illness known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. 

"You can get hantavirus by breathing in contaminated airborne particles from the droppings, urine, and saliva of infected deer mice," Saskatchewan's Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Denise Werker said. 

Symptoms usually start within one to six weeks of exposure and include fever, muscle aches, cough, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Some people develop severe symptoms that can be life-threatening. 

To avoid exposure to hantavirus, be aware of mouse droppings and nesting materials and take precautions when working in sheds or garages or where ever you feel like mice may be found.

The risk of contracting hantavirus infection is currently low in Saskatchewan. However, deer mice are present throughout the province and the risk will increase as the weather continues to warm up and people resume seasonal activities.

There have been 32 people in the province to contract hantavirus pulmonary syndrome since 1994 and 10 of those cases were fatal.