Hantavirus is Yosemite National Park has caused two deaths and a few others have contracted the rodent-born disease. Thousands of people have been calling the park asking questions about the disease and many others have cancelled their plans to stay at the park over the holiday weekend.
So far, there have been six confirmed cases of people who contracted the disease at the park. Now park rangers are being bombarded with phone calls as they try to educate people about Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
"We're reaching out and they are reaching out to us, and we are trying in every way shape and form to be transparent and forthright," park spokesman Scott Gediman told USA Today. "We want to tell people this is what we know. The most important thing is the safety of park visitors and employees."
To help relieve the rangers from amount of calls they're getting, here are some answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Hantavirus.
What are the symptoms?
Those who have been infected with hantavirus may develop symptoms within one to six weeks. At first, a person may have chills, fever and muscle aches. This then progresses to dry coughs, headache, nausea and vomiting, followed by shortness of breath as the lungs fill with fluid. Those with severe cases are put in intensive care, given oxygen, and prescribed medicine to prevent kidney failure.
How is it spread?
Hantavirus is spread through the saliva, feces and urine of infected mice which a human may inhale in the air. Deer mice, which are found in the park, are the most common carriers of the disease.
How do you tell a deer mouse from other mice?
Deer mice range in colors from gray to reddish brown. They have white on their underbellies and sides of their tails. House mice are usually one solid color.
How common is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?
Hantavirus is pretty rare. Since the illness was defined in 1993, there have been 587 documented cases. The virus is found within 20 percent of deer mice.
Who is most susceptible?
Hantavirus doesn't affect a specific type of person. Among the known cases, the people ranged from ages 6 to 83. The majority (63%) were men and 37 percent were women.
Can I catch it from someone who is sick?
It is believed that hantavirus is not contagious among people. There have been no reported cases of the virus being spread by human to human contact.
What is the mortality rate?
About 36 percent of people who contracted hantavirus died from the disease. However of the 24 people who got it in 2011, half died.
More than 36 percent of people stricken with hantavirus have died from it. In 2011, half of the 24 people who got it died.
How can I avoid exposure?
Open windows of buildings that have been closed for a while and allow the area to air out for half an hour. If you see mouse droppings, spray then with a mix of water and bleach, wait 15 minutes and mop up or wipe with paper towels.
Will I get it if I go to Yosemite National Park?
Not likely. Those who got the virus were in one part of the park. They were in the Curry Village Campground in the eastern end of Yosemite Valley. Yosemite receives four million visitors a year and there have been about eight cases of hantavirus received in Yosemite since 2000.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
