Hantavirus – Garfield County

Take precautions to avoid hantavirus

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – The first confirmed Colorado case of hantavirus in 2019 has been reported by the Northeast Colorado Health Department. May, June, and July are the months when most human cases of hantavirus occur. Hantavirus is a serious and potentially fatal respiratory disease carried by deer mice. People may become exposed to hantavirus when cleaning out rodent-infested structures, breathing in dirt and dust contaminated with deer mouse urine and feces. There have been no hantavirus-related deaths in Garfield County, and the last human case was in 2017. Though hantavirus is rare, it is frequently fatal, with a case

Deer mice, Disease, Hantavirus

Hantavirus Case in Garfield County

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Garfield County Public Health is investigating a case of hantavirus in a local resident. Hantavirus is a serious lung infection caused by viruses found in the saliva, urine, and droppings of some rodents, including deer mice. It can be found throughout the country, with a higher prevalence of occurrence in the southwestern part of the United States. “The individual who locally suffered exposure has been released from the hospital, but little else about this infection case is known at this time,” said Danielle Yost, Public Health nurse. “Public Health is working to determine in which part

Hantavirus

Garfield County resident exposed to hantavirus at home, recovering

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – The western Garfield County resident exposed to hantavirus, a serious disease caused by exposure to deer mice, is at home and recovering. On Monday, representatives from the Garfield County Public Health Department conducted a site visit to investigate areas of potential hantavirus exposure that may have contributed to the recent hospitalization. “We are relieved and happy to report that the person in Garfield County is working towards recovery,” said Sara Brainard, Garfield County Public Health nurse manager. “There were a few areas of potential exposure. We go out on site visits to ascertain the risk for

Disease, Hantavirus