90-Second Read: The U.S.'s Last Hantavirus Outbreak Was In a Campground. Should Hikers Worry?

Scott McClelland, an infectious disease specialist, shares what hikers and backpackers should know about Hantavirus. In the past week, an outbreak of Hantavirus on a cruise ship in the south Atlantic has captured the attention of people worldwide. In fact, the U.S.'s most recent notable outbreak happened in a campground in 2012, when 10 people became ill and three died after staying at Yosemite's Curry Village. Scott McClelland, a Seattle-based hiker and specialist in infectious diseases at UW Medicine, says backpackers' risk of contracting Hantavirus is extremely low.

After an incubation period that can last weeks, Hantavirus initially presents with flu-like symptoms that can worsen and lead to severe and even deadly respiratory illness. Luckily for hikers, McClelland says exposure to these diseases is easy to avoid. And if you have concerns about a shelter, rest assured that tent camping carries virtually no risk of exposure to Hantavirus and other rodent-borne illnesses. But those hiking to and camping in lean-tos, cabins, and huts could find themselves in a rodent-infested space.

Virtually all of them are west of the Mississippi, so depending where people are, there may be no risk. The Andean form, on the other hand, is the only variety where there's been evidence of person-to-person spread. While the risk of exposure to hanta is minimal for most backpackers in the U.S., McClelland says that there are other potential hazards associated with sleeping in backcountry shelters if they are infested with rodents. And there are more important things for hikers to be concerned about in terms of infectious disease in the wilderness.

So while it can be tempting to sweep out a lean-to upon arrival, take caution unless you have an N95 mask, especially if you see droppings or evidence of a rodent nest. When cleaning out rodent-infested spaces, always wear an N95 mask and ensure that the space is well-ventilated. Just because you see a mouse around camp doesn't mean you're at risk.