2nd Yosemite visitor dies of rodent-borne illness
Source: Agencies |
August 29, 2012, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A second person has died of a rare, rodent-borne disease after visiting Yosemite National Park earlier this summer, and officials at one of the most popular US parks warned past visitors to be aware of possible flu-like aches and symptoms.
Health officials learned last weekend of the second hantavirus death, which killed a person who visited the park in June. Another case of the illness has been confirmed, and a fourth is being investigated. The first death was reported earlier this month.
Yosemite officials said on Monday that the four visitors might have been exposed while vacationing at the park's Curry Village, and they warned those who stayed in the village's tent cabins from mid-June through the end of August to beware of any symptoms of hantavirus, which can include fever, aches, dizziness and chills.
Of the 587 documented US cases since the virus was identified in 1993, about one-third proved fatal. There is no specific treatment for the virus.
Symptoms may develop up to five weeks after exposure to urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents, and Yosemite advised visitors to watch for symptoms for up to six weeks.
Officials said thousands of people visit the park every month, so it would be impossible to track everyone who had set foot in Curry Village. It was not clear how many people stayed in the cabins in the period for which park officials issued the warning.
Health officials learned last weekend of the second hantavirus death, which killed a person who visited the park in June. Another case of the illness has been confirmed, and a fourth is being investigated. The first death was reported earlier this month.
Yosemite officials said on Monday that the four visitors might have been exposed while vacationing at the park's Curry Village, and they warned those who stayed in the village's tent cabins from mid-June through the end of August to beware of any symptoms of hantavirus, which can include fever, aches, dizziness and chills.
Of the 587 documented US cases since the virus was identified in 1993, about one-third proved fatal. There is no specific treatment for the virus.
Symptoms may develop up to five weeks after exposure to urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents, and Yosemite advised visitors to watch for symptoms for up to six weeks.
Officials said thousands of people visit the park every month, so it would be impossible to track everyone who had set foot in Curry Village. It was not clear how many people stayed in the cabins in the period for which park officials issued the warning.
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