No vaccines will prevent this one though being knowledgeable of your accommodation and environment might help. This rare, but rather topical virus is carried by rodents and can be passed on via contact with their excrement. It occurs in both North and South America and East Asia and was first isolated in 1978 in Korea.
No known illness has occurred in Australia though antibodies have been found in rodents in this country. The virus causes both respiratory disease (hantavirus pulmonary syndrome [HPS] and haemorrhagic renal problems [HFRS] with about 30% of those inflicted dying of the disease. Interestingly, it was investigated as a biological warfare agent by the US government – though this doesn’t happen nowadays. Imagine being attacked by weponised mouse urine!
A major outbreak has occurred in the United States over the last few months and new cases are still being discovered. There have been nine confirmed cases with three deaths in travellers to the ever popular Yosemite National Park. Most of the cases relate to a cluster of illnesses around the Signature Tent Cabins in Curry Village. Park records have shown that at least nine Australians could have been exposed in the period between June 10 and August 24 and urged to seek medical review if they become unwell. More info.
