Colorado Reports Its First Hantavirus Death Since 2024
Gizmodo • • general
Key Points:
- Colorado has reported its first confirmed hantavirus death in 2024, caused by the local Sin Nombre strain, which is not transmissible between people unlike the Andes strain linked to recent South American cases.
- The Sin Nombre hantavirus is primarily spread through exposure to rodent droppings, especially from deer mice, with infections often occurring during spring cleaning and outdoor activities that disturb rodent habitats.
- From 1993 to 2023, Colorado recorded 121 hantavirus infections with 45 deaths, and neighboring New Mexico reported 129 cases with 54 deaths, highlighting the ongoing regional risk of this virus.
- Health officials advise airing out and disinfecting areas contaminated by rodents before cleaning, and caution that contact with rodent urine, droppings, or live rodents—including pets—can transmit the virus.
- Symptoms typically include severe leg, hip, and back pain, fever, and chills, with potential rapid progression to life-threatening heart and lung inflammation causing fluid buildup and pneumonia-like conditions.