Nine Hantavirus Cases Tied to Yosemite
The National Park Service's Sept. 13 update said three people who developed hantavirus pulmonary syndrome died, while the other six are recovering.
Nine people who spent at least one night in Yosemite National Park since June 2012 have been infected with hantavirus, according to a statement posted by the National Park Service, which noted the information was current as of Sept. 13 at 9:40 a.m. PDT.
The statement says NPS received confirmations from national and state public health agencies of the nine cases, eight of whom developed hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). "Three cases of HPS have resulted in fatality; the six other individuals have recovered. The confirmed cases of hantavirus infection were in seven individuals from California, one from Pennsylvania, and one from West Virginia," it says.
The statement also says more than one camp at Yosemite may be involved; public health personnel have linked cases to the Signature Tent Cabins in Curry Village and one case may be linked to the High Sierra Camps, it says.
The NPS Office of Public Health is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state public health offices.