Posted at: 06/18/2009 3:13 PM
Updated at: 06/20/2009 3:05 PM
By: Reed Upton, KOB.com
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State confirms second hantavirus case of year
The state health department reports that a 65-year-old San Miguel County man has contracted hantavirus, the second confirmed case of the year.
The man has been hospitalized at the University of New Mexico Hospital
The state health department is conducting an environmental investigation to try to determine where the man contracted the disease and whether people may be at risk.
Hantavirus is a potentially fatal disease that is transmitted to humans by infected rodents through their urine, droppings and saliva.
The deer mouse is the primary carrier of the disease.
Symptoms of hantavirus include fever, muscle aches, chills, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and coughing. Chances of recovery are better if treatment is sought promptly, according to the health department.
