IPFS News Link • Biology, Botany and Zoology
Hantavirus Deaths in Yosemite: More Mice May Be to Blame
• http://www.livescience.com, Susan E. MatthewsIn order for a person to become infected, Hirsch said, "the virus has to be present enough in the rodents, the rodents have to come into contact with humans, and humans have to inhale it." These specific conditions may explain why there are so few cases, he said.
The Yosemite cases may be partly the result of good weather that increased nut production, and led to increased mice populations, Hirsch said. Besides the two deaths, at least one other person was sickened by the disease and officials said other cases could emerge.