Hantavirus outbreak in California town kills 3
Three deaths in Mammoth Lakes, California, have been linked to hantavirus, a rare rodent-borne disease. The fatalities occurred unusually early in the year, raising concerns among health officials. Hantavirus is transmitted through contact with infected deer mice via their urine, feces, or saliva, and can lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory illness with a high mortality rate of about one in three cases.
The victims were all residents of Mammoth Lakes, a rural town in the Sierra Nevada region. The latest death involved a young adult whose home showed no evidence of mouse activity, although mice were observed at their workplace. This pattern is atypical since hantavirus infections are usually associated with cleaning poorly ventilated areas contaminated by rodent droppings. Health officials suspect an increase in deer mouse populations may have heightened the risk of transmission.
Symptoms of hantavirus infection often begin with flu-like signs such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, progressing to coughing and severe respiratory distress. The disease can escalate rapidly, sometimes leading to death within days of respiratory decline. Authorities are urging residents to take precautions, such as sealing holes to prevent rodent entry, storing food securely, and avoiding direct contact with rodent waste.
Hantavirus is a family of viruses that cause serious diseases in humans, primarily transmitted through contact with rodents and their excreta. The viruses are divided into two main clinical syndromes: Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).
Transmission
Rodent-borne: Hantaviruses are primarily spread by rodents, such as mice and rats, through their urine, droppings, and saliva.
Aerosol transmission: Humans can become infected by inhaling aerosols contaminated with rodent excreta.
Rare human-to-human transmission: Except for the Andes virus, which can be transmitted between people, hantaviruses are not typically contagious among humans.
Clinical Syndromes
Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)
Causing viruses: Hantaan, Seoul, Dobrava-Belgrade, Saaremaa, Amur, and Puumala viruses.
Symptoms: Kidney disease with swelling, excess protein in urine, and blood in urine.
Fatality rate: Varies from less than 1% to 15% depending on the virus.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
Causing viruses: Sin Nombre, Andes, and other regional variants.
Symptoms: Begins with flu-like symptoms, progressing to severe respiratory failure.
Fatality rate: Higher than HFRS, ranging from 30% to 60%.
Prevention and Diagnosis
Prevention: Seal rodent entry points and avoid exposure to contaminated areas.
Diagnosis: Serologic tests and RT-PCR are used for diagnosis.
Recent Incidents
California, USA: Recent cases of hantavirus have been reported in Mammoth Lakes, highlighting the virus’s potential for severe outbreaks.
