Basics
What tiny animal spreads hantavirus?
Deer mice
What park did the outbreak happen in?
Yosemite National Park
What kind of cabins were linked to the outbreak?
Signature tent cabins
What did the park do to stop the outbreak?
Closed and cleaned infested cabins
How high can a deer mouse jump?
Up to 3 feet high!
How do people catch hantavirus?
By breathing in dust from mouse droppings or urine (ew)
What year did it happen?
2012
What did investigators find inside the cabin walls?
Mouse nests and droppings
How many cabins did they close?
91 cabins closed
How many people visit Yosemite every year? (to the millions)
Around 4 million visitors!
What body system does it mostly affect?
The lungs / respiratory system
How many people died?
3 deaths
What animal did they test for the virus?
Deer mice
How did they warn visitors?
Sent health alerts and letters to visitors
What’s one thing you should never do when you see a wild rodent?
Don’t touch it, just watch from afar!