WSU study finds high prevalence of hantavirus in Pacific Northwest rodents
Researchers found nearly 30% of sampled rodents had signs of Sin Nombre virus, and about 10% were actively infected, WSU said.
- Washington State University researchers reported that nearly 30% of rodents tested in the Palouse region showed signs of past Sin Nombre virus infection, with about 10% actively carrying the pathogen.
- In summer 2023, researchers collected 189 samples from deer mice, voles, and chipmunks across farms and forest sites in Whitman County, Washington, and Latah and Benewah counties, Idaho.
- Human infections typically occur through inhaling airborne particles from contaminated rodent droppings, urine, or nesting materials, though Sin Nombre virus does not spread between people, unlike Andes virus.
- "Severe cases are still rare, so the individual risk for people is still rare," said Pilar Fernandez, a disease ecologist in the Allen School, recommending ventilating spaces and wet-cleaning when disturbing rodent-infested areas.
- Stephanie Seifert, the study's corresponding author, emphasized the need for continued research to understand how environmental changes affect viral prevalence and how human behavior influences infection risk.
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High Levels Of Hantavirus Found In Pacific Northwest
Hantavirus was found in high levels in multiple rodent species across the Pacific Northwest. While this isn’t incredibly alarming news, some mainstream media outlets are reporting that the virus could pose a higher risk than initially thought. WHO Chief Claims More Cases Of Hantavirus Are Coming According to a report by Fox News, in summer 2023, researchers collected samples from 189 deer mice, voles, and chipmunks at eight farms and two forest …
Study finds widespread hantavirus exposure among Pacific Northwest rodent populations
The Sin Nombre virus – a hantavirus that can cause a deadly respiratory disease in humans – may be more widespread among rodent populations in parts of the Pacific Northwest than previously recognized.
WSU study finds Hantavirus-carrying rodents across Washington and Idaho Palouse
PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University researchers reported that a new study found signs of Sin Nombre virus in rodents across parts of the Palouse, raising new questions about how common the virus may be in the Northwest.
High prevalence of hantavirus in some areas of the Pacific Northwest
The Sin Nombre virus—a hantavirus that can cause a deadly respiratory disease in humans—may be more widespread among rodent populations in parts of the Pacific Northwest than previously recognized. A recent study conducted in the Palouse region of Washington and Idaho found that nearly 30% of rodents showed evidence of past infection with the virus. About 10% were actively infected, meaning they were carrying and could potentially shed the virus.
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