Three people have died from hantavirus in rural Colorado in the past five days, according to the state Department of Public Health and Environment.
There have been six hantavirus cases this year and four deaths.
“So that’s a high number and there is still time to go this summer,” said John Pape, a state epidemiologist specializing in animal-related diseases.
Spurred by the wet spring, which provided food to increase mouse populations, Pape said that there is an increased risk of the disease this summer.
Hanatvirus is a respiratory illness carried by deer mice, a rural species. People contract the disease by inhaling dust and dirt contaminated with deer mice urine and feces.
There was one death each recorded in Custer, Costilla and Park counties in the past five days.
Two weeks ago, hantavirus was confirmed in a patient from Park County, who survived after a long hospital stay.
In May, cases were reported in Weld and Alamosa counties. The patient from Alamosa died.
There were six cases of hantavirus in 2006 and a record 11 cases in 2005.
Among steps the state health department suggests is storing food in rodent-proof containers, storing firewood 100 feet from the house and using an exterminator to keep mouse populations down.
