PIERRE - The South Dakota Health Department says hantavirus
has caused the death of a McCook County resident.
Two others in southeastern South Dakota have been claimed by
the virus in the past three years. Earlier deaths were in Turner
and Bon Homme counties.
Hantavirus, which is carried by rodents, attacks the lungs and
blood vessels.
South Dakota has had 13 hantavirus cases since 1993.
The primary carrier of the disease in South Dakota is the deer
mouse, which is found statewide. People are infected when they
breathe in the aerosolized virus from droppings, urine or saliva of
rodents.
State epidemiologist Dr. Lon Kightlinger says rodent control
is prudent in the fall when mice begin moving indoors.
