Health officials are urgently warning the public about a deadly rat-borne disease, which has already claimed four lives this year. Hantavirus, notorious for its 36% fatality rate, is seeing an alarming rise in cases across the western United States.
Health Warning Issued Over Deadly Rat Disease
Officials have sounded the alarm about a dangerous rat-borne disease after four fatalities this year. The hantavirus, lethal in 36% of cases, typically causes around 30 cases annually in the U.S., mainly in the western and southwestern regions.
Surge in Hantavirus Cases Reported
Some states are now experiencing a rise in hantavirus infections. In Arizona, officials reported seven cases and three deaths this year, a significant increase from the previous six years combined.
California Sees Rare Hantavirus Cases
California has recorded two cases and one death, including in a county that hadn’t seen the virus for two decades. This uptick is partly attributed to extreme weather conditions driving rodents indoors.
Weather Conditions Contribute to Virus Spread
Recent extreme temperatures and heavy rainfall are believed to be pushing virus-carrying rodents into homes. Increased plant growth from heavy rains boosts food supplies for rodents, potentially leading to population surges.
Hantavirus: A Deadly Respiratory Illness
Arizona health officials warn that hantavirus is a severe respiratory illness. It can be found in various areas of the southwestern U.S. where rodent activity is present.
Rodents as Carriers of Hantavirus
Rats and mice can carry the virus without showing symptoms. They spread it through droppings, saliva, and urine, which can infect humans who disturb contaminated areas.
Symptoms and Onset of Hantavirus
Infected individuals experience sudden fever, muscle aches, nausea, and abdominal pain nine to 33 days after exposure.
Progression to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
The disease can escalate to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, causing severe breathing difficulties. The virus infects lung blood vessels, leading to fluid leakage and potentially fatal respiratory failure or shock.
Limited Treatment Options
Currently, there are no specific treatments for hantavirus. Doctors manage symptoms with IV fluids and over-the-counter medications.
Hantavirus Hotspots in the U.S.
Colorado and New Mexico have the highest numbers of hantavirus cases, each reporting 119 cases since 1993. Arizona follows with 85 cases, while California and Washington have 78 and 59 cases, respectively.
Rare Cases in California
In April, Sierra County, California, reported its first hantavirus death in over two decades. Despite its rarity, hantavirus remains a serious and often deadly threat.
Climate Change and Disease Spread
There are growing concerns that hantavirus might appear more frequently in new areas. Warming temperatures are altering rodent habitats, potentially expanding the disease’s range.
