Arizona reports a third hantavirus case. One person died. It is the first fatal case this year in the state.
Timestamp shown in UTC unless otherwise indicated.
Third case
Arizona reports a death from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. It is the third case in the state in 2026. The first one to be fatal.
The infection occurred in the US Southwest. Sin Nombre virus is local, endemic to the region. Deer mice carry it.
US statistics
Since the start of 2026, 8 hantavirus cases have been reported in the US. Two of them were fatal. The fatality rate is 25% — below average, but still frightening.
Most cases happen in rural areas. People get infected while cleaning sheds or sleeping in old cabins. Just breathing in dust with rodent droppings is enough.