Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Deadly hantavirus raises new concerns

Details

  • Description

    Claudia Cowan reports from Yosemite National Park

  • Duration 2:23
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Editor's Picks

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

New concerns about a deadly disease spreading at one of our largest national parks an outbreak.

Of the -- to virus are rare rodent borne disease at Yosemite National Park has already infected at least nine people.

Three of them have died.

-- account is -- inside Yosemite National Park now Claudia.

While -- this is not the first hanta virus outbreak here at Yosemite National Park but given the number of infections it is by far the most serious.

And because symptoms can take up to six weeks to develop.

Public health officials say the number of reported cases could rise now that's putting pressure on park officials to address visitors concerns.

And on scientists to find a vaccine or cure for this rare but deadly disease.

Along with rugged natural beauty and scenic views Yosemite National Park is home to critters that -- potentially deadly diseases.

There's a full year.

Information.

That I -- now along with park maps visitors are getting information about how to avoid the rodent borne illness.

While health officials look for clues inquiry village.

The popular campsite where deer mice which -- hanta virus were found living in the insulated walls.

All but one of the cases originated in tent cabins which have been scrubbed clean and closed indefinitely.

But why some people got sick and others didn't remains a mystery.

The cases have been you know.

Distinct -- and different -- different family -- as many as 43000 campers may have been exposed to the virus which is contracted through contact with the droppings of infected mice.

Epidemiologist.

-- want to know if the virus first identified in 1993.

Has mutated.

Because of potentially a chance that we have.

To really understand.

How a package and evolves and also understand kind of the mechanisms by which.

Viruses such as -- persons can jump from animals to humans.

-- your -- is somebody there is evidence that the deer mice population inside the park is growing now that could help explain this outbreak.

Which frankly has scared a lot of people -- Megan park attendance.

Is down though I have to say there are still a lot of visitors here in most of them tell us they do appreciate the park's education outreach efforts and say they feel safe.

Camping hiking and taking in the sights.

Back to you cloudy -- thank you.

Load More