Safety

Southwestern states alerted to hantavirus infection risk

Emergency Management Alert, April 26, 2005

This past winter's wet conditions may increase the risk of rare hantavirus infection in Southwestern states, reports the Arizona Daily Star.

Hantavirus, which is fatal in nearly 40% of its victims, is transmitted when humans become exposed to the excrement of wild mice. The disease often begins with flu-like symptoms before evolving into respiratory failure as fluid fills the lungs.

Worried experts believe the winter rains this year created conditions similar to the 1993 outbreak that killed more than 20 people. The rainy weather boosted the wild mice population.

Health officials reported two new cases last week. Arizona reported only two cases all of last year. Case numbers dropped dramatically during the recent drought years.

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