Holidaymakers at risk of deadly virus spread by mice

Updated
Holidaymakers at risk of deadly virus spread by mice
Holidaymakers at risk of deadly virus spread by mice

PA


Holidaymakers who camped at California's Yosemite National Park this summer have been warned that they may have been infected with deadly hantavirus.

The virus is spread by mice and infection can lead to a lung disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which causes flu-like symptoms and breathing difficulties.

The Express reports that two men have already died as a result and four others have survived. The virus kills around four out of ten people who become infected as there is no known cure, but early treatment means that victims can recover.

Experts believe that the area of contagion is confined to a popular camping area known as Curry Village (pictured above). Park authorities have so far contacted 3,000 of the 10,000 holidaymakers who are known to have booked tent cabins there this summer.

America's Centre for Disease Control said: "People who stayed in the tends between June 10 and August 24 may be at risk of developing HPS in the next six weeks."

Last week, park officials shut down 91 tent cabins after discovering infestations of deer mice. Hantavirus is carried in the faeces, urine and saliva. Once dried and mixed with dust, this is easily inhaled in confined or poorly-ventilated spaces. People can also be infected by eating contaminated food, touching surfaces or being bitten. The virus is not contagious among humans.

Symptoms including fever, headaches, muscle pains, coughing and breathing problems can appear six weeks or more after exposure.

Paul Ollig, the park's deputy chief of interpretation, told the LA Times that an emergency phone line was opened on Tuesday and, so far, they have taken almost continuous calls. He said: "We're getting calls from worldwide. A lot of them from California, but we're getting calls from the UK, we're getting calls from France, from China... We haven't really seen much of a lull at all."

Unsurprisingly, the park is already reporting "unprecedented cancellations", with a 20 per cent cancellation rate this weekend.

Click on the image below for some great camping tips...

%VIRTUAL-Gallery-161537%

Advertisement