90-Second Read: Arizona resident dies from Hantavirus

A northwestern Arizona resident has died from Hantavirus, according to the Mohave County Department of Public Health and Arizona Department of Health Services. According to the health departments, the person developed Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. According to the CDC, Arizona had 92 cases of Hantavirus between 1993 and 2023.

The departments identified the strain of the virus as the Sin Nombre variety, not the Andes strain that infected cruise ship passengers in May. The health departments said the person was a Mohave County resident, and the source of exposure for the"Kingman service area" could not be determined. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare and usually fatal disease that affects the lungs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Although Hantavirus is uncommon, awareness and prevention are important, especially for people spending time outdoors or cleaning areas where rodents may be present. The Sin Nombre strain is historically associated with cases in Arizona and the Southwest. Little was known about the person who died, where they were was infected and whether anyone else was infected.