Ninth Hantavirus Case from Yosemite

A ninth case of the deadly hantavirus that originated in Yosemite has been identified. Hantavirus is a disease that of transmitted to humans through the feces and urine of rodents. According to the LA Times, this ninth case of hantavirus was less severe then the previous cases. This person was diagnosed with hantavirus infection, and the disease did not progress to the more deadly hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Three people who were infected with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome have already died.

The infection have been traced to a tent cabin campsite in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite has warned 3100 people of potential hantavirus exposure by mail and recently warned an additional 230,000 people by email. According to the Yosemite website there is a park safety alert in effect.

According to the CDC, hantavirus begins with flu like symptoms and muscle spasms. In fatal cases of hantavirus the patients die from fluid buildup in the lungs. The CDC also has a guide for safely dealing with rodents to prevent the transmission of hantavirus.

Diseases definitely constitute an environmental hazard because they pose a potential threat to humans and their welfare. Since hantavirus is not communicable between humans and is not a widespread disease it can't be classified as a disaster, but these outbreaks do raise questions about our ability to deal with deadly diseases.

These are the tent cabins in Yosemite where 9 people were infected with hantavirus. Photo from the LA Tims.