Overview

• Three fatalities from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome have been confirmed in Mammoth Lakes, California, a rare and concerning early-season outbreak.
• Health officials attribute the unusual timing of cases to a rise in deer mouse populations, increasing the risk of exposure to the virus.
• Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through inhalation of particles from rodent droppings, urine, or nesting materials during routine activities.
• The disease has a high fatality rate, with up to 40% of infected individuals succumbing to respiratory failure and organ damage.
• Preventive measures include sealing homes to block rodent entry, using disinfectants for cleanup, and avoiding actions that could aerosolize contaminated materials.