Mariposa, California: Increased cases of Hantavirus outbreak, rodents

Yosemite National Park authorities have doubled the estimate of those likely infected in a recent outbreak of the hantavirus, a deadly pulmonary disease commonly carried by mice and other rodents. Given the rising number of confirmed cases (currently eight) and deaths (three), U.S. officials have sounded a worldwide alert to more than 22,000 domestic and international visitors to the park who may have been exposed. Containment of the virus is the first priority for the National Park Service, whose officials at first estimated that 10,000 people were at risk of contracting the hantavirus after staying in Yosemite’s popular Curry Village lodging area in June through August. Read article